Bob Starcher said officers in his department often don't make an arrest if they arrive at a home and don't find any actual violence or threats of violence. In those cases, officers will often refer family members to a social service agency. Still, the calls keep coming in to police. In Akron, domestic disputes now make up about 20 percent of the department's total calls, according to Maj. Officers often respond to domestic disputes at the same houses over and over, adds Akron Lt. Sylvia Trundle.
Police say family members call for different reasons.
McCord said the daughter got angry and hit him in the back of the head with a phone. He struck the kitchen counter, fell to the ground and was left with a gash to the head and a sore hip. While police and prosecutors say they have taken steps to address the complaints raised about domestic violence arrests, others say there is more to do. Sutton, the state representative, suggests requiring schools to teach students alternative ways to solving problems rather than coming to blows. Kostoff, of Juvenile Court, said she thinks parents need to take more responsibility for handling problems within their families instead of turning to police and the courts.