Racine Co. tests restraining order notification

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RACINE, Wis. (AP) – Racine County will test a program that notifies victims when a restraining order is formally served on their alleged perpetrators.

Women’s Resource Center of Racine director Cheri Griffin said “information is power” and in domestic violence cases, perpetrators try to wield power over their victims. She says this helps level the playing field.

The Journal Times says while Racine County will be first to test the program, it was the last Wisconsin county to receive access to the automated service that provides crime victims with automated phone and email updates when an inmate is moved or released from jail. The restraining order pilot program will piggy-back on that system.

Racine County Sheriff Chris Schmaling said his jail handles more than 10,000 bookings each year and more than 2,000 stem from domestic violence arrests.

Information from: The Journal Times, http://www.journaltimes.com