SAN ANTONIO – Every yr, the San Antonio Police Department responds to 1000’s of circle of relatives violence calls.
It’s a crime that officials are taking significantly.
This yr, SAPD is launching a new marketing campaign studying from the magazine of a girl who documented the violence she skilled in her dating prior to she used to be killed via her spouse in 2012.
“When he gets mad, he starts to put me down. My ear was bruised real good for about a week,” an unnamed officer learn from the magazine of Tammy Ramirez.
“It was the first time that I found out what he really did to my daughter. And that was very, very painful to hear,” Lydia De La Zerda, Tammy’s mother, mentioned when she watched SAPD’s first of 3 movies.
“I couldn’t believe that was what my mom was going through,” Kayla De La Zerda, Tammy’s daughter, added.
Hearing Tammy Ramirez’s words learn over a decade after her death is painful for her mom and daughters to soak up.
“He was screaming at her, and I hated it. I wanted my mom to get out,” Krista De La Zerda, Tammy’s daughter, mentioned.
Kayla and Krista are older now, however the women have been there on that December day again in 2012. The recollections are nonetheless haunting to them.
“The next thing I know, I’m running to her and telling her to wake up, and she’s not waking up,” Kayla mentioned.
The 25-year-old mom of 3 used to be shot and killed in entrance of her personal circle of relatives via her spouse of 8 months, Jonathan Garcia. He’s lately serving a 35-year sentence.
“I told her right away, This man is not right for you. This man is going to kill you, Tammy,” Lydia mentioned.
Tammy wrote down what she used to be experiencing within the days main as much as her death. Now, officials with SAPD are studying her words to inspire others to talk up.
Capt. Rene Gallegos is a commander of the Special Victims Unit.
“Combination of reasons why domestic violence continues to be a problem in our city of San Antonio,” Gallegos mentioned.
Last yr, SAPD spoke back to 39,370 requires circle of relatives violence. This yr, there’s been 28,525 calls.
“Family violence doesn’t discriminate. You’ll catch it in all parts of town. You’ll catch it on all socioeconomic backgrounds,” Gallegos mentioned.
They’re crimes with nuance. One measurement doesn’t are compatible all on the subject of SAPD’s reaction.
Gallegos mentioned what’s constant is their victim’s first manner.
“Make sure they get the resources needed to go beyond the criminal charges and to get the help they need, whether it’s counseling for themselves or their kids,” he mentioned.
Tammy’s circle of relatives hopes any person else can also be stored via posthumously sharing her words.
“If you want out, call for help. There’s hope out there, but you need to take the first step,” Lydia mentioned.
“If they don’t, they’re never going to get out of the situation, and something worse can happen to them, like what happened to my mom, and I don’t want that to happen to anybody else’s mom,” Krista added.
You can watch all of the SAPD Domestic Violence marketing campaign here.
The division and Metro Health’s violence prevention program are webhosting an open space subsequent Wednesday from 10 a.m. till 2 p.m. at SAPD substations to reply to questions on circle of relatives violence circumstances, protection making plans, and extra.
“I think that’s the biggest thing. We want people to know our doors are open, and we do care, and we want to make a difference in our community,” Captain Gallegos mentioned.
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