Glendale’s Community Newspaper
Vol. 76 No. 42
Inside This Week
www.glendalestar.com
DV on the rise during the pandemic BY TOM SCANLON
Glendale Star Managing Editor
NEWS...............8 Pence visits Peoria as election season heats up
BUSINESS .... 18 ‘Best of the West’ show is coming soon
As it has been for the last three decades, October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. While there is increased attention on physical and psychological harm done by partners or family members, that does not mean it is under control. Indeed, the closures and stay-home measures may be contributing to an increase in domestic violence. According to Maricopa County Attorney Allister Adel, “There has been a dramatic increase in submittals of domestic violence-related homicides and attempted homicides to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.” From January through June, MCAO received 32 reports from local law enforcement agencies for domestic violence-related homicides or attempted homicide.
Glendale Star Contributing Writers
For King & Country gets ready to visit Glendale
OPINION..................... 16 BUSINESS.................. 18 SPORTS ...................... 20 FEATURES.................. 22 RELIGION ................... 24 YOUTH........................ 26 CLASSIFIEDS ............. 28
That was twice the number compared to the same time period in 2019. “This spike is alarming,” Adel said. “The impact that this pandemic has had on victims of domestic violence is real.” Through the pandemic, the Glendale Police Department answered heightened domestic violence calls. “Across the board we’re seeing more violence,” Glendale Detective Brian Draper said in a video posted on the Glendale Police Department Facebook page. “The (domestic violence) cases we’re getting are much more violent—a lot more shootings, a lot more strangulations, a lot more stabbings. A lot more serious felonies versus what we’ve seen typically SEE VIOLENCE PAGE 3
As they did last year, Detective Brian Draper and other Glendale police officers will be doing a “sweep” of domestic violence suspects with outstanding warrants later this month. (Glendale Star file photo)
LD 20 candidates debate school closures, reopening BY AUSTIN ASHBURN AND TYLER BUDGE
FEATURES .... 23
October 15, 2020
Voters in Legislative District 20, which includes Glendale and part of West Phoenix, will elect a state senator and two state representatives Nov. 3. Arizona Clean Elections is sponsoring a series of candidate debates in districts across the state. One of the first was the LD 20 event, held Aug. 17 and moderated by Julia Shumway of Arizona Capitol Times. Three of the five candidates on the ballot appeared at the forum. Campaigning for Arizona Senate reelection, Republican incumbent Sen. Paul Boyer did not attend the event, but his Democrat opponent Douglas Ervin participated in the forum. In the House of Representatives race, Republican incumbent
“I’m sorry my opponent couldn’t show up. … I understand he has a class tonight, but I prefer he was out talking to voters and answering questions and being a part of the democratic process, which debates are very important,” Ervin said. “My parents, an Air State Rep. Anthony Kern, bottom right, and Legislative District 20 challengers Douglas Ervin and Judy Schwiebert, bottom left, participated in an online de- Force captain and a bate moderated by Julia Shumway. State Sen. Paul Boyer and Rep. Shawnna nursing teacher, inBolick did not participate. (Image courtesy Arizona Clean Elections) stilled in me Arizona Rep. Shawnna Bolick did not attend, while values like respect, integrity, community Republican incumbent Rep. Anthony Kern service, hard work and personal responsiand Democrat opponent Judy Schwiebert bility,” Ervin said. “But when I was down SEE LD 20 PAGE 4 participated in the online debate via Zoom.