DPS releases Family/Domestic Violence Incidents in Maverick County during 2005-2013

By: Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2013, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, there were a total of 5,457 family/domestic violence incidents in Maverick County, Texas during 2005 through 2013, an average of at least one incident per day. Although figures for 2014 and 2015 for Maverick County were unavailable by the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Eagle Pass Business Journal previously published an article on February 11, 2015 regarding a ten (10) months period from 2014-2015 based on City of Eagle Pass Police Department and Maverick County Sheriff’s Department monthly reports.

Maverick County has had an average of one family/domestic violence incident per day for the past ten years, according to information from the Texas Department of Public Safety Under Texas Crimes Reports. The DPS Report shows a total of 5,457 family/domestic violence incidents in Maverick County during 2005 through 2013. The DPS Report obtained its data from both the City of Eagle Pass Police Department and Maverick County Sheriff’s Department. Data for 2014 and 2015 were unavailable to DPS.

During the 2005-2013 study period, Maverick County Sheriff’s Department reported more family/domestic violence incidents than the Eagle Pass Police Department for every year except in 2005 and 2006.

DPS reported a total of 433 family/domestic violence incidents for Maverick County during 2013. During 2012, DPS reports there a total of 431 family/domestic violence incidents in Maverick County, including 248 incidents from the Maverick County Sheriff’s Department and 183 incidents from the Eagle Pass Police Department. During 2011, DPS reports there were atotal of 438 family/domestic violence incidents in Maverick County with 308 incidents reported by the Maverick County Sheriff’s Department and 130 by the Eagle Pass Police Department. During 2010, DPS reported there were a total of 400 family/domestic violence incidents including 291 incidents from the Maverick County Sheriff’s Department and 109 from the Eagle Pass Police Departments. In 2009, DPS reports there were 449 total family/domestic violence incidents in Maverick County with 253 from the Maverick County Sheriff’s Department and 196 from the Eagle Pass Police Department. During 2008, DPS reported there were a total of 689 family/domestic violence incidents reported in Maverick County including 382 from the Maverick County Sheriff’s Department and 307 from the Eagle Pass Police Department. In 2007, DPS reports there were a total of 821 family/domestic violence incidents in Maverick County with 413 from the Maverick County Sheriff’s Department and 408 from the Eagle Pass Police Department. During 2006, DPS reported there were a total of 681 family/domestic violence incidents in Maverick County including 428 from the Eagle Pass Police Department and 263 from the Maverick County Sheriff’s Department. In 2005, DPS reports there were a total of 824 family/domestic violence incidents with 423 from the Eagle Pass Police Department and 401 from the Maverick County Sheriff’s Department.

These statistics are provided by the Texas Department of Public Safety are from http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administration/crime_records/pages/crimestatistics.htm.

According to the DPS statistics, a larger number of family/domestic violence incidents occur outside the City limits of Eagle Pass and are reported to the Maverick County Sheriff’s Department than the Eagle Pass Police Department.

Family/Domestic violence incidents are common and a growing problem in Maverick County which needs to be addressed by the entire community, including the legal and judicial system, mental health providers, health care providers, educational entities, social services agencies, women’s advocacy groups, and the citizens of Maverick County.