HomeMy WebLinkAbout042824 email - SoCo JCSOALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them.
Yesterday in Brinnon, there was quite a show. We had an armed burglary at the Lazy C. It took the first deputies at least a half hour to arrive on scene.
By the time all of JCSO, Clallam Sheriff's Dept, Port Angeles PD, two (?) helicopters and other support staff had swarmed the scene of the crime, the suspect had fled. JCSO brought the
MRAP, but they did not have cause to use it, fortunately (because that would have meant that officers were being fired at). I'm pretty sure I do not need to elaborate on the potential
for collateral damages in a densely populated area if there had been an exchange of gunfire.
I don't know how many bodies or how many other resources we sent to respond to this situation or what the cost of that response was. What I do know is that we need LE in SoCo. We are
reaching a fever pitch and I have serious concerns that residents are increasingly likely to take irreversible actions due to their sense of helplessness and abandonment. When known
recidivists who have been terrorizing the area are out on bail and are left to summon that kind of response and it arrives too late, law abiding residents become desperate and reactionary.
What did yesterday's response cost us and what would it cost to have deputies located in south county? What will it cost us if things escalate further?
At a recent BoCC Monday meeting, people requested that the LE funding required of Black Point Resort be earmarked for a SoCo deputy. I was shocked to see BoCC react as if that was a
novel concept. As if it had never been considered before. ANY other use of those funds is a dereliction of duty and a misappropriation of funding, in my opinion. What is the point of
requiring BPR to fund a deputy if the deputy is migrated out of the service area? I hope you will put your finger in that leaking dike.
The good news is that after 24 hours and an exhaustive effort, the suspect turned himself in and is now in custody. I hope he'll get some ankle jewelry if they let him out again so that
they can locate him when he demands it. He WILL demand it.
I hope you'll get a report from Joe about this incident and I hope you will redouble your efforts to better serve the residents of south county. They need it!
Jean