Domestic violence prevention designated public safety priority

Domestic violence prevention designated public safety priority

Published on May 21, 2026

The Gainesville City Commission and Gainesville Police Department (GPD) today outlined an expanded community safety strategy focused on preventing domestic violence, dating violence and sexual violence. The announcement was made during the morning session of the city commission meeting, as Gainesville Police Chief Nelson Moya presented a quarterly update that addressed the continuing impact of domestic violence on the Gainesville community.

According to data presented in the report, GPD responded to 2,347 domestic disturbance and domestic battery calls in 2025. The department recorded 1,649 domestic or dating violence incidents and 682 related arrests that year. Through April 27 of this year, officers already had responded to 810 domestic disturbance calls and documented 558 domestic or dating violence incidents.

"I want to highlight this so we can pay added attention to it," Chief Moya said while discussing plans to collaborate with local partners. "As we have with other things, gun violence being one of them, we see what we can do when we focus as a group of all lanes. I'm hoping, as we do that, we find ways to improve the domestic violence that happens in this community."

As part of the expanded strategy, Chief Moya is adding a Criminal Investigations Bureau detective to assist with cases involving domestic and dating violence. The department already is using a nationally recognized tool called the Lethality Assessment Program (LAP), which helps officers identify high-risk situations and connect victims with advocacy organizations, emergency services and groups specializing in prevention, intervention and survivor support.

Gainesville Mayor Harvey L. Ward, who has previously spoken of the need for a collaborative approach to domestic violence prevention, commended GPD on developing a strategy that reaches beyond enforcement to include outreach, education and strong partnerships across the community.

"We are trying to let people know that help is available if you find yourself in this situation and abuse will not be ignored," said Mayor Ward. "We as a community support survivors and support victims of domestic violence, and we want to get there before the violence happens. Every community wants to do that. I think we have the ability to actually affect it."

GPD is also launching a public awareness campaign focused on building healthy relationships, recognizing warning signs, finding local resources and knowing when to seek help.

If you suspect someone is being abused, report it. Incidents can be referred to law enforcement by calling GPD's nonemergency number 352-955-1818. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.

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