The number of domestic incidents investigated by the Jefferson County sheriff’s office has jumped by 27 percent during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sheriff’s investigators in March 2019 responded to 111 calls of domestic violence, said Sgt. Joni Money. In March of 2020, when people were asked to stay at home because of COVID-19, that number climbed to 141.

“It’s uncertain as to whether this increase in domestic violence crimes is a direct result of the stay-at-home order that was issued earlier in March 2020,’’ Money said, “but it certainly raises some questions. In comparing last year’s numbers to this year’s numbers, the only difference seems to be the stay-at-home order.”

The upward trend was feared and somewhat expected by law enforcement nationwide, and Jefferson County is not alone. According to thehill.com, police departments across the country are reporting a spike in domestic violence. Departments in Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and Seattle have said publicly they are seeing increases in domestic violence allegations, the publication reported.

Birmingham’s One Place Family Justice Center provides services to victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Executive Director Allison Dearing, who has previously said being self-isolated or quarantined can be dangerous for people in abusive homes, said they are seeing a reduction in calls but that’s not necessarily a good thing.

“We believe that’s probably because people are in close proximity to their abusers. The calls that we are receiving, I would say, are increased in danger, almost desperate calls, from people who are being threatened with firearms, who are afraid they are going to have to go back to a home they escaped because of COVID-19 and being concerned because there are guns in the home,’’ she said.

“These really raise our red flags for dangers, and so we hope that law enforcement when they arrive on the scene ask those calls are being increased that they are asking about access to firearms or threats of firearms in the home,’’ Dearing said. “If we’re having to triage and do a danger kind of assessment, we’re trying to see what are the most dangerous situations that have the potential to escalate.”

The sheriff’s office offered some alternatives to engaging in violent domestic altercations:

- Take a walk. Should tensions begin to build, citizens can still take a walk around their neighborhood. Hopefully, this will allow both parties to have the opportunity to cool down and keep the argument from escalating. Just remember to practice the social distancing guidelines while in public.

- Try to talk things out rather than allowing a disagreement to become physical. Avoiding raising your voice or using overly emphatic hand gestures can go a long way in keeping a disagreement under control. Even if the other party is yelling, lowering your tone and volume can often cause the other person to lower theirs as well.

- Settle arguments with words, not fists. Never raise your hand against another person in an emotional rage.

- Clearly and calmly state what you feel the disagreement is about to the other party. Often times, an argument can develop over nothing more than one party not understanding what point the other person is trying to make. By trying this, you may actually discover that you and the other party actually have the same opinion but are stating it differently.

“During this difficult time, everyone is on edge and anxieties are high. Many people are concerned over finances, health and the stress of the disruption of normal activity,’’ Money said. “Try planning activities that will encourage fond memories, like going through old photos of happy times or cooking a favorite meal together.”

She said authorities understand that sometimes, no matter what attempts are made, the situation cannot be resolved or it may be a pre-existing violent relationship that is worsened by the current stressors forced by Covid-19.

Should you need assistance with a violent party, please reach out. There are still services available to those in a violent situation.

• YWCA – The YWCA offers a 24-hour crisis line (205-322-HURT [4878]). Their 24-hour emergency domestic violence shelters are also open and operational.

• Crisis Center Birmingham – The Crisis Center continues to provide 24-hour services:

Crisis and Suicide Line – 205-323-7777

Rape Response Hotline – 205-323-7273

Recovery Crisis Line – 205-458-3377

• Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office Victim’s Assistance Unit – 205-325-5260 On-Call Victim Assistance Officers are available

• HICA – Hispanic Interest Coalition Alabama 205-942-5505 Services and Support for Alabama’s Hispanic community