[Adopted 6-19-2001 by Ord. No. 2001-734 (Sec. 2.20.160 of the 1992 Code)]
In 1991, the New Jersey Legislature passed the
Prevention of Domestic Violence Act of 1991, N.J.S.A. 2C:25-17 et
seq. (the "Act"), having determined that domestic violence is a serious
crime against society with victims from all social and economic backgrounds.
Pursuant to the Act, crisis intervention teams of trained residents
can be formed to assist police authorities in dealing with domestic
violence cases. On January 18, 2000, the participation in a DVRT was
mandated by Bill No. A-2786. The West Essex DVRT will be a regional
effort with volunteers servicing the residents of Caldwell, Cedar
Grove, Essex Fells, Fairfield, North Caldwell, Verona and West Caldwell.
The West Essex domestic violence intervention team would assist victims
of domestic violence by providing information on available resources
and referrals and acting as a liaison with the police and other agencies,
as appropriate.
[Amended 12-23-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-1029]
There is hereby created the West Essex Domestic
Violence Crisis Intervention Team. The team shall consist of an unlimited
number of volunteers who shall be at least 18 years of age and a resident
of one of the eight West Essex towns. All team members shall serve
without compensation. Interested persons shall complete an application
form supplied by the North Caldwell Police Department DVRT liaison
and will be subject to a background check.
No person may serve as a team member unless
he/she shall have first completed a forty-hour specialized training
program as developed by the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice.
The function and duties of the team shall include,
but not be limited to:
