As part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office is spotlighting its partnership with North Carolina’s Domestic Violence Electronic Monitoring Program. The free program, which is run by the North Carolina Criminal Justice (CJIN) Information Network, provides oversight for defendants on pre-trial release for domestic violence abuse and assault cases and alerts for victims when their defendant is nearby.
"The electronic monitoring program is an invaluable resource for domestic violence victims in Onslow County. It allows us to closely monitor defendants on pre-trial release, providing an added layer of safety and peace of mind for victims as they work toward rebuilding their lives," said Sheriff Chris Thomas.
The CJIN Domestic Violence Program cases are monitored by a 24/7 call center staffed by highly-trained agents working around the clock to monitor defendants to ensure victim safety. All call center operators have a law enforcement or emergency communications background. This is needed because each case differs, and decisions must be made to protect the victim’s safety and well-being while balancing the defendant’s rights.
How it works
In participating counties, the defendant is assigned to the program as a condition of pre-trial release at the judge's discretion. However, victims can request the program through their attorney, Victim Advocacy Group, or the District Attorney.
Before the defendant is released from jail, the victim is notified and asked whether they want to participate in the program. The defendants who are awaiting trial for domestic violence cases, stalking cases, and sex crimes will be assigned an electronic ankle device by the judge. The victim can also opt to receive an electronic device that warns them when the defendant is within a specific proximity of them. This allows them to implement a safety plan if the offender is nearby.
The program uses “Exclusion Zones” to achieve primary victim safety.
An Exclusion Zone is placed around an area where the defendant must stay away, such as a residence, place of work, etc. The shape and size of the zone can be tailored to fit the specific needs of a given case. The victim can usually set three exclusion zones, though more are permitted in certain cases. Every case is unique and reviewed as such.
If the defendant breaches one of the fixed exclusion zones identified by the victim, the defendant’s device sends an alert to the call center, which then reaches out to the defendant to alert them to leave the area immediately. If they fail to do so or the call center cannot contact the defendant, law enforcement is immediately notified.
In addition to the set exclusion zones, victims are given a Stalker Alert unit that can be easily carried in a bag or on their person and gives a multi-layered exclusion zone no matter where they go. It sends an alert to the victim’s cell phone when they are in close proximity to the defendant.
The victim receives a text message on their cell phone when the defendant is within 3 miles, 2 miles, 1 mile, or 300 feet of the Stalker Alert device.
The Stalker Alert works similarly to a smoke detector, providing the victim with early warnings to make an informed decision about what to do when they receive the alert. All participating victims are encouraged to have a safety plan that they can utilize when notified that a defendant is nearby.
Stalker Alert Notifications are only received by the victim. The Call Center does not monitor them. If a victim feels they are in danger based on any Proximity Alerts (automated texts generated by the Stalker Alert), they must contact 911 themselves, as the Call Center is unaware of a defendant’s proximity to a victim outside an established exclusion zone.
Operational and day-to-day management of the Domestic Violence Electronic Monitoring Program is provided by Monotec, a Wilmington-based company. It oversees enrollment and removal of defendants and victims in the program and manages and runs the day-to-day operations of the Call Center.
“Protecting and empowering domestic violence victims is important and serious work that requires strong partnerships among a variety of stakeholders,” said Amy Michalik, Program Director Monotec. “We are pleased to partner with law enforcement and the judicial system in Onslow County as part of the Domestic Violence Electronic Monitoring Program because this is a proven life-saving tool that we want to get into the hands of as many victims throughout North Carolina as possible.”
For questions about the program in Onslow County, call (910) 795-0224. Onslow County Sheriff’s Office Public Information: Trevor Dunnell – work: (910) 219-4936 ext. 4936. Cell: (910) 787-4216.
Ankle bracelet | Stalker Alert | Exclusion Zone