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The Longmont City Council proclaimed October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and National Community Planning Month.
Domestic Violence Awareness
Domestic Awareness Month was established 17 years ago, "to remind everyone that ending domestic violence starts with just one small action, whether that is seeking help or sharing resources," according to council communication.
Kim Heard, LEVI Project Coordinator, accepted the proclamation on behalf of LEVI (Longmont Ending Violence Initiative) and Safe Shelter of St. Vrain.
Domestic violence includes, but is not limited to, punches, black eyes, yelling, humiliation, stalking, manipulation, coercion, threats, isolation, stealing a paycheck, keeping tabs online, non-stop texting, constant use of the silent treatment, or even calling someone stupid so often they believe it.
In Heard's speech to city council, she stated that domestic violence is considered the number one crime in Longmont.
Heard also reported that there was a 27% increase in domestic violence calls to Longmont law enforcement between 2017 and 2018. In 2019, there has been 684 domestic violence calls received resulting in 359 arrests. This number does not include domestic violence cases that remain unreported.
In an effort to help community members learn more about domestic violence and/or learn of ways to seek help, LEVI has placed coffee sleeves in ten Longmont coffee shops around town. The sleeves have information to connect people with the resources they seek.
National Community Planning Month
The Longmont Planning and Zoning Department celebrated National Community Planning with a proclamation at the October 8, Longmont City Council meeting.
According to council communication, " The celebration of National Community Planning Month gives us the opportunity to publicly recognize the participation and dedication of the members of planning commissions, other citizen planners, and professional staff who have contributed their time and expertise to the improvement of the City of Longmont."
This year's National Community Planning Month theme is Planning for Infrastructure That Benefits All.
Joni Marsh, director of Longmont Planning and Zoning, accepted the proclamation. Planning commissioners and members of the Citizen's Planning Academy from last fall and the new session this fall stood with Marsh.
Marsh mentioned that the Citizen's Planning Academy is a great way for the community to get involved and learn more about planning and zoning in Longmont. She also noted that Longmont will be visited by two national groups this week, National Town Builders and Life at 3mph. These groups will be going on walking tours around town.
