The Foley City Council unanimously approved a request Monday by the Foley Police Department to join the Baldwin County District Attorney’s Office, the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office and The Lighthouse, a non-profit organization that provides support for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Baldwin County and Escambia County, to apply for a $1.8 million domestic violence grant.

Foley Lt. David White said there are no matching funds required of the city to apply for the grant, and one of the main reasons for looking into the grant was the rise in domestic violence cases in the area. He did not have exact figures but said the number has increased.

“It’s so private,” White said about domestic violence incidents while affirming that the amount of reported crimes in the city reduced in 2010.

“It has to do with the economy and unemployment, and the oil spill affects that,” Foley Mayor John Koniar said when asked what he thinks are the factors for the increase. “People are losing their jobs and people are under a lot of stress. Some people are having to move out of the house for work. Some are just being pushed to the brink.”

    Koniar said the city has an investigator dedicated solely to domestic violence cases. He also said Foley is not alone in seeing the increase.

    “The city of Gulf Shores is experiencing an increase in the crime as well,” he said.

    The Foley Police Department reported 30 domestic violence crimes for the month of January, and White said the grant would help the city with a few things in regards to the type of crime.

    “We’ll bolster services we already do here to meet the demands we’re experiencing,” he said. We’ll train all of the justice system including prosecutors on the type of crime. We’ll educate the community more. We’ll increase personnel. Also, Foley is looking at a victim services coordinator type position and possible another domestic violence investigator.”

    White said the grant is still in the planning phases and nothing is concrete in how the city would use the grant if it is approved to receive funds. He said it is not finalized how the funds would be split among the four entities involved.