Pocono News Section

Group Hopes To Stop Stalkers

Group Hopes To Stop Stalkers - Wednesday, September 26, 2007 at 6:21PM EST

Wednesday, Sep 26, 2007 @06:21pm EST

A group which was formed to help women who are plagued violence, has a plan that is says will help track down stalkers.

Experts say one in every twelve females are stalked in the u-s.

But the crime is hard to stop, especially- if it's not reported properly.

The Luzerne county domestic violence service center has developed a plan to help.

When this man, Jeffrey Hergert was arrested earlier this month, Wilkes-Barre police discovered he allegedly stalked women in a dozen states.

In most states the crime is just a misdemeanor.

Luzerne county domestic violence service center director Paula Triano says that's a problem

"a lot of stalkers stalk in different jurisdictions. It becomes a pattern, it's a behavior. The misdemeanor does make it easier," says Triano.

In our area, Hergert allegedly preyed on young women in Wayne and Luzerne counties.

Police say he posed as a vacuum cleaner salesman, offering young girls modeling jobs.

In some cases, he allegedly got physical.

Triano says proving that behavior as stalking can be difficult.

She says, "it's hard, they need evidence. You can't just walk up to somebody and say you know, you're stalking, this person, and get a conviction."

But Triano believes that could get easier.

The service center wants to help Luzerne county police departments recognize stalking better.

It's developed a stalking protocol; identifying things like harrassing emails and phone calls as possible stalking behavior.

The goal is to help victims get help early.

Triano says, "make sure they have resources and they do safety planning and for them to tell someone so that if something does happen, someone knows."

The stalking protocol is awaiting approval from the Luzerne county district attorney.

Triano hopes training will start this November,

In nearly all states, a second stalking charge is a felony, which means a stiffer sentence.

Jeffrey Hergert's preliminary hearing was scheduled for this morning, but it was continued to a later date.