In response to rising concerns around domestic violence-related homicides, Platte County leaders have implemented a coordinated, multi-system strategy aimed at increasing victim safety, offender accountability, and early intervention.
This collaborative effort brings together the Platte County Sheriff’s Office, the Parkville Police Department, the Platte County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, the judiciary, and community-based victim service providers, Synergy Services, to address domestic violence with urgency and precision.
A cornerstone of this response is the county-wide implementation of the Lethality Assessment Program (LAP). Under the leadership of Platte County Sheriff Eric Holland, all sheriff’s deputies
have been fully trained in LAP, an evidence-based tool that identifies high-risk victims and immediately connects them with advocacy, shelter, and support services. This proactive approach ensures that individuals in the most dangerous situations are identified early and provide critical resources in real time.
“Our efforts to improve our response to domestic violence situations are aimed at enhancing our ability to pursue evidence-based prosecution and protecting our community,” said Sheriff Eric Holland. “Domestic violence impacts the lives of many citizens and, if not properly addressed, can lead to serious injury or death. Lethality assessments and the training that our staff has completed help deputies address domestic violence calls more effectively. It also allows us to get the victims of these crimes the resources they need in real time, hopefully increasing the likelihood of breaking the cycle of violence.”
In addition, Parkville Police Chief Kevin Chrisman has committed to strengthening local response efforts, with Parkville officers scheduled to complete LAP training by mid-May, further expanding the reach of this life-saving intervention across the county.
“The Parkville Police Department is excited to utilize these new tools to further enhance the safety of our community and residents,” Chrisman said. “Training is expected to be completed by mid-May.”
In tandem with enhanced law enforcement response, Judge Susan Casey has established a dedicated Domestic Violence Compliance Docket in Platte County. This specialized court increases consistency in handling domestic violence cases, strengthens offender accountability, and prioritizes victim safety through informed judicial oversight. The county’s compliance docket further monitors offenders as they complete probation conditions, to reduce repeat violence and improve long-term community safety.
Judge Casey indicated that “The rise in lethality stemming from domestic violence is an issue our community demands be addressed. Platte County’s compliance docket oversees and supports offenders as they complete their probation conditions with the motivating hope that monitoring of probation conditions prevents future violence and results in a safer community.”
Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd has also played a critical role in aligning prosecution strategies with these enhanced system responses, ensuring that cases are handled with a focus on both accountability and victim protection.
“For the last two decades, prosecuting domestic abuse has been one of my top priorities,” said Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd. “All too often — even when a spouse or other romantic partner is the intended victim — children who are present or part of the family structure also suffer. I’m excited that this new collaboration will further improve our community’s response to these insidious crimes.”
This effort has been strengthened through a close partnership with Synergy Services, a leading provider of domestic violence intervention and prevention services in the region. Leadership from Synergy — including Kaki Conti, Executive Director; Sara Brammer, Vice President of Family Violence Services; and Heather Barry, Program Manager of the Domestic Violence and Children’s Center — has supported training, advocacy connections, and system coordination.
“Addressing domestic violence requires a coordinated, community-wide response,” said Sara Brammer, Vice President of Family Violence Services at Synergy Services. “By aligning law enforcement, the courts, prosecution, and advocacy, Platte County is building a model that prioritizes safety and works to prevent future homicides.”
Together, these efforts represent a comprehensive and strategic response to domestic violence in Platte County—one that leverages data-informed practices, cross-sector collaboration, and a shared commitment to protecting victims and strengthening community safety.