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. The Montclair 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.
There is hereby created, in accordance with N.J.S.A. 2C:25-20, the Montclair
Domestic Violence Intervention Team. The team shall consist of an unlimited
number of volunteers who shall be at least 21 years of age and bona fide residents
of Montclair. All team members shall serve without compensation. Interested
persons shall complete an application form supplied by the Township, be fingerprinted
by the Police Department and subject to a background check. Members of the
team shall be appointed by resolution of the Township Council by reference
to a qualified list to be maintained in confidence by the office of the Chief
of Police. The Township Council may also by resolution appoint certain team
members as coordinators. All coordinators and other team members shall be
supervised by the Police Department and shall serve at the discretion of the
Township Council.
No person may serve as a team member unless he/she shall have first
completed a forty-hour training program specializing in Domestic Violence
Intervention Team matters. This training further provides confidentiality
protection to the member in accordance with N.J.S.A. 2A:84A-22, et seq.
The functions and duties of the team shall include, but not be limited
to:
A. Meeting with victims of domestic violence to provide
support, compassion and advice.
B. Providing information on available resources, appropriate
agencies, hot-lines and the like, and serving as a liaison with police and
other agencies as appropriate.
The Police Department shall prepare and submit to the Mayor and Township
Council an annual report summarizing the activities of the team and any recommendations
it deems appropriate to make.
All ordinances or parts of ordinances inconsistent with the provisions
of this chapter are, to the extent of such inconsistency, hereby repealed.
If any provisions of this chapter or application thereof in any circumstances
are held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications
of this ordinance that can be given effect without the invalid provision or
application, and to this end the provisions of this chapter are severable.