Domestic Violence experts are concerned after two dozen arrests overnight

TAMPA - Two dozen domestic violence arrests in less than twelve hours have lawmen and domestic violence experts warning potential victims to seek help.

The Pinellas County Jail logged 13 domestic related arrests between 10:00 p.m. Sunday and 8:00 a.m. Monday. The Hillsborough County Jail recorded 11 domestic violence arrests in the same ten-hour period.

"This escalation in violence worries me," said Hillsborough Sheriff David Gee. "That's a lot of arrests over a short period of time. Domestic violence calls are dangerous for families, dangerous for deputies."

Domestic violence usually increases between the Thanksgiving and New Year's holidays, said Nikki Daniels, Executive Director of the Family Justice Center in Tampa. "Unfortunately, it's not surprising," said Daniels. "There's more family around... it adds stress and it can increase levels of violence."

Experts and police officers are urging families to seek counseling if the potential for violence exists. "We invite anybody that may be having this kind of problem to get with professionals," said Mike Puetz with the St. Petersburg Police Department.

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