January is National Stalking Awareness Month

Sgt. Brandon Bonney from the Prescott Valley Police Department reminds us that stalking is a crime. It affects 3.4 million victims a year. Bonney writes, " Stalking is difficult to recognize, investigate, and prosecute.  Unlike other crimes, stalking is not a single easily identifiable crime but a series of acts, a course of conduct directed as a specific person that would cause that person fear.  Stalking takes many forms, such as assaults, threats, vandalism, burglary, or animal abuse, as well as unwanted cards, calls, gifts, or visits."

Prescott Police Lt. Andrew Reinhardt provided the statute to Prescott eNews. It reads as follows:

13-2923. Stalking; classification; definitions
A. A person commits stalking if the person intentionally or knowingly engages in a course of conduct that is directed toward another person and if that conduct either:
1. Would cause a reasonable person to fear for the person's safety or the safety of that person's immediate family member and that person in fact fears for their safety or the safety of that person's immediate family member.
2. Would cause a reasonable person to fear death of that person or that person's immediate family member and that person in fact fears death of that person or that person's immediate family member.
B. Stalking under subsection A, paragraph 1 of this section is a class 5 felony. Stalking under subsection A, paragraph 2 is a class 3 felony.
C. For the purposes of this section:
1. "Course of conduct" means maintaining visual or physical proximity to a specific person or directing verbal, written or other threats, whether express or implied, to a specific person on two or more occasions over a period of time, however short, but does not include constitutionally protected activity.
2. "Immediate family member" means a spouse, parent, child or sibling or any other person who regularly resides in a person's household or resided in a person's household within the past six months.

Bonney explains, "One in four victims report that the stalker uses technology, such as computers, global positioning system devices, or hidden cameras, to track their victims, making it difficult for authorities to investigate and prosecute their crimes."

Living in a community that understands stalking can help combat the crime and support the victims. If stalking could be recognized more easily by a greater number of people, law enforcement has a better chance to protect victims and prevent tragedies.

Are you or someone you know possbly a victim of stalking? If so, please contact your local Police Department or these additional resources:

PVPD Violent Crimes Against Women Unit 928-772-5110 or 928-772-5129
Traces Gordon, Crime Prevention Specialist for the Prescott Police Department 928-777-1967
Chino Valley Police Department 928-636-4223
Yavapai Family Advocacy Center 928-775-0669

The Stalking Resource Center  www.ncvc.org/src
The National Center for Victims of Crime – 1-800-FYI-CALL