TRI-CITIES, Wash. – January is Stalking Awareness Month, with the key word being awareness. People aren’t always aware they’re being stalked according to Commander Damon Jansen with the Richland Police Department.
The definition takes up three pages, according to Commander Jansen. He said it’s generally any repeated unwanted contact.
“They should assess the situation. If those repeated contacts – if they aren’t stopping – if they start escalating in behavior or the tone or the anger or with a threat. That becomes very concerning and is a huge red flag,” he said.
He recommends calling the police before it escalates so an investigation can start.
He said cyberstalking, also known as cyber harassment, can be clear repeated contact, but people don’t always know when they’re being stalked off of devices.
“360 awareness. So many people walk around with their heads down and only concerned with the destination they’re going to,” he said. “Look around, see what’s going on around you, right?”
He said reports of the crime are less common in the area, with only eight cases reported in 2023.
He also said the stalker is commonly someone the victim already knows, for example, former romantic partners or even a co-worker.
He said filing a no-contact order can be used to deter the stalker. With a no-contact order in place, any amount of contact is considered a crime.
Community resources SARC and the Domestic Violence Services of Benton Franklin Counties can support someone when this crime happens according to Commander Jansen.
Community resources SARC and the Domestic Violence Services of Benton Franklin Counties can support someone when this crime happens according to Commander Jansen.
