The rise in assaults has increased the number of people seeking help as well. Nadolski-Haecker said the Family Violence Coalition has seen a 13 percent increase in people involved in domestic violence coming in for help over the last three years. That was up from 1,298 people in 1998, Nadolski-Haecker said. Advocates in the office logged 5,960 hours of service in 1999 compared with 5,347 in 1998. Assaults aren't the only visible crimes in Grand Island, however.
Theft is also very common.
In 1999, arrests for theft and larceny were down to 815 from 1,034. Despite the decline in numbers, theft is an easily preventable crime that remains in the spotlight. Theft and criminal mischief often go hand in hand because offenders often break a vehicle window to steal a purse, CDs or stereo equipment, Watson said. A lot of the thefts that occur in Grand Island are drug related, Trosper said. Unfortunately, there is very little chance of people getting caught stealing smaller items because they often trade them for drugs and don't use pawn shops, he said.