SAUGERTIES – A purple and
white police cruiser was unveiled Tuesday in Saugerties, to help raise
awareness on the issue of preventing domestic violence.
“We need to stop this unnecessary violence, and the truth is it can be stopped. Education and awareness are two key components towards succeeding in this endeavor,” said Saugerties Police Chief Joseph Sinagra.“Our goal is to insure our community never forgets that domestic violence affects our community each and every day.”
Sinagra (podium), other officials, see the new police car as a symble of growing awareness
Town Supervisor Greg Helsmoortel applauded Sinagra’s initiative. So did Ulster County Executive Michael Hein.
“We want to make sure we save all,” Hein said. “One catastrophic incident shocks and rocks our community to its core.”
Wright: “… keep the message
alive”
District Attorney Holley Carnright said domestic violence “is one of the few crimes where we could anticipate when and where it’s going to happen.”
” Domestic violence was rising ever year, but the trend reversed two years ago, thanks to awareness efforts like the purple car,” Carnright noted.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, where the county office building in Kingston is lit up in purple.
“Every time you see that purple car, you can make fun, but we’re trying to bring awareness into our community,” Carnright said.
New York State Office of Prevention of Domestic Violence Executive Director Gwen Wright told the story of how her father was arrested.
“I knew there had to be a way out; I was fortunate I lived in a community that was willing to lend a hand,” Wright recalled. “It wasn’t just me and my children who were affected, but also my friends and neighbors. This is just the start of some amazing events that will happen in the county. It doesn’t end on October 31st. We need to keep the message alive.”
