2 honored for helping start unit
The 9-year-old unit is moving this weekend.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Two women who were instrumental in the formation of the police department's Crisis Intervention Unit nine years ago were honored with plaques.
Detective Sgt. Delphine Baldwin Casey presented the plaques Friday afternoon to E. Nikki Davis of the Mahoning-Youngstown Community Action Partnership and Karla Krodel, director of health care industry cluster, Youngstown State University, Southwoods Commons.
The plaque inscription reads: "With deep appreciation for going the extra mile to make sure victims of domestic violence got the help and justice they deserve."
The CIU opened in October 1996, coinciding with Domestic Violence Month.
The unit, which has been in the Wick Building on West Federal Street, is moving next door this weekend to 20 Federal Place (the former Phar-Mor Centre), said Lt. William Rafferty, unit commander. It will share offices with the juvenile division, Rafferty said.
Origins
Ten years ago, Krodel, then a grant writer at YSU, wrote the grant that established CIU, Casey said. "The dream went from paper to reality," she said.
Krodel said Casey took her vision and built a program.
Davis became involved in 1994 when a co-worker was beaten and stabbed by the co-worker's husband. Davis, as a member of the mayor's task force on violence, lobbied for a special committee to look into domestic violence issues.
"We need to be diligent about domestic violence; every nine seconds, someone is abused," Davis said. "Speak up when you see something."
Casey credited former Mayor Patrick J. Ungaro for his support. She said he contacted YSU to get things going for a grant.
Police Chief Robert E. Bush Jr. praised the CIU for making domestic violence a big deal. "It is a big deal," the chief said.
Mayor George M. McKelvey, referring to a series of rapes on the South Side, said we live in trying times and need the CIU.