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Sheriff: Custer County will refer domestic violence victims to Fremont County shelter
Summary
Sheriff Rich Smith told commissioners the county has arranged to send domestic violence victims and their children to a safe house in Fremont County and provided a 24-hour Family Crisis Services phone number.
Sheriff Rich Smith told the Custer County Board of Commissioners on June 19 that the county has arranged for domestic violence victims and their children to be referred to Family Crisis Services in Canon City when a local safe placement is needed.
"We're gonna be able to start sending domestic violence victims and their children if they need a safe place to go, to Fremont County," Sheriff Rich Smith said, adding that the 24-hour Family Crisis Services phone number is (719) 275-2424.
Smith described the need in a recent case of a woman who lived in a violent household and was afraid to leave because she did not want to leave her children behind. The new referral arrangement provides an option to move victims and children on short notice, the sheriff said. He told the board deputies will transport victims to the shelter when necessary.
The sheriff's office discussed the new pathway during his regular report; commissioners and staff also asked procedural questions about transport and availability. Sheriff Smith said the department can provide transport 24 hours a day and that during business hours there are more options for support and placement.
The arrangement does not appear to create a local shelter; rather it secures a placement and transport option through Family Crisis Services in Fremont County. Smith said his office will continue to coordinate with the county and with Family Crisis Services to make the option available when needed.
Clarifying details - Referral partner: Family Crisis Services, Canon City/Fremont County (24-hour number given by sheriff: (719) 275-2424). - Transport: Sheriff Smith said deputies will transport victims to the shelter when requested, available 24 hours. - Context: The arrangement is a referral pathway; it does not create a local shelter in Custer County.
What remains unresolved in the transcript are any written agreements, funding responsibilities or capacity limits at the Fremont facility. Sheriff Smith said the relationship grew out of meetings arranged by county managers and that Family Crisis Services will accept referrals when necessary.
