Of particular importance, they said, is holding offenders accountable.

“Domestic violence is not about having a bad temper,” said Ann Eft, executive director of the Pierce County Commission Against Domestic Violence. “It’s not caused by your partner. The violent behavior is a choice you make.”

She was among the speakers at a news conference over the noon hour at Tollefson Plaza in downtown Tacoma. Buses and cars whizzed by on Pacific Avenue as the crowd gathered.

The event helped kick off October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. As part of an awareness campaign for the month, officers from eight law enforcement agencies put purple ribbon magnets on their patrol cars.

Each ribbon states: “Everyone deserves to be safe.”

More magnets are being distributed to Tacoma, Sumner and Puyallup police, the state Department of Corrections and Community Health Care.

“We are putting offenders on notice today that domestic violence is not OK in our community,” Eft said.

Tacoma police investigated more than 3,500 domestic violence incidents in 2007. In addition, all of the shootings involving officers last year started out as domestic violence calls the officers were responding to.

Over the past five years, the department has handled 73 homicides. Of those, 13 were domestic violence.

“Domestic violence is not acceptable,” said police Capt. Charles Meinema. “Domestic violence is a crime. Domestic violence is not excusable.”

Anne Crowley, the lead domestic violence attorney for the City of Tacoma, stressed the need to hold offenders accountable in the courts system. She works with police, probation officers and advocates in the community.

“We have become an extremely effective team to keep victims safe,” she said. “It takes all of us.”

Stacey Mulick: 253-597-8268

blogs.thenewstribune.com/crime

VIGIL MONDAY

As part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Korean Women’s Association will host “A moment to remember” vigil Monday for domestic violence victims and survivors. The event will begin at 4:30 p.m. at the association’s main office, 123 E. 96th St. in Tacoma.