Santa Ana police 'soft room' aims to comfort victims

Santa Ana police 'soft room' aims to comfort victims

Zonta Club of Newport Harbor volunteers Cris Peterson, from left, Susan Mounier, and Angela Whiteside help direct Bonny Schumaucher and Scott Walker, Santa Ana Police Foundation board member, level a picture. The woman's group refurnish one of the Santa Ana Police Dept.'s interrogation rooms and make it more welcoming to victims of domestic abuse at Santa Ana Police Department. Typically those victims are interrogated in the same room as the criminals.

CINDY YAMANAKA, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

SANTA ANA What used to be a room equipped with only three chairs and a table the basics for a police interview room is now a comfortable space decorated with flower vases, brightly colored children's furniture, a coffee table and soft-toned couches.

Officials hope that the newly refurnished Santa Ana Police Department interview room will put victims of domestic abuse or human trafficking at ease while they are questioned about their cases.

The remodeling session took place Wednesday and was spearheaded by the Zonta Club of Newport Harbor, a chapter of Zonta International, which raises funds for projects aiming to advance the status of women.

Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna said the room will offer a safe environment for victims.

Obviously, these are traumatic crimes, especially with victims of domestic violence or abuse. It makes it much easier for the detectives because they're (victims) far more relaxed, Bertagna said.

The Zonta Club focuses on human trafficking, and this project is the second of its kind. Last year, the club refurnished an interview room at the Westminster Police Department.

Club members are looking into remodeling other police department interview rooms.

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Santa Ana police 'soft room' aims to comfort victims