Letter to ittakesgrit.org Webmaster

January 14, 2007

Submitted by Gerry Gibson, Dyer Road Resident

I read the article in the Valley Review on 12/28/06 "Crime."  I guess I was not surprised to see the article after the charade at the preceding Council meeting.  I think that whole thing was 100% staged and the Council used it for a sick purpose.  That, being whatever it was, I wanted to give my comments concerning the police.

• Whether we like it or not, US 2 runs through our city.  Violations on the highway are violations in our city.  Keeping drunks, speeders, and unsafe vehicles off the highway, is making it safer for us and our families.  Whether we are coming or going, we all end up on US 2.  It makes no difference to me who is making the arrests or issuing the tickets --the State Patrol, the Sheriff, or Sultan Police.  In fact, it might as well be the Sultan Police as we need the money.  If our police stop even one drunk, unsafe or overloaded truck, or speeder from killing members of our family or city, isn't it worth it?  I know in my case, when someone else doesn't do what I think they should, I take charge and do it myself, rather than just sit back and wait for the other party to do what is needed.  I support the police patrolling the highway.  Who is paying for the damage the overloaded trucks are causing to the highway?  Certainly, the police need to be in our neighborhoods as well, but, given what they are given, they can't always be in two places at once.
• With the limited funds the city has given the police, we all know they cannot do everything they are expected.  The recent increase in burglaries and car prowls are a direct connection to the homeless group across the river.  Is there a connection to the city housing a bunch of these people following the floods and the increase in crime in the city?  I am willing to bet on that.  No one is blaming those who took in these people---no, just blame the police who were already short-handed.  I would hope the city and the Council continue to push hard with the county to get rid of the problem across the river. It was a shame the levy did not pass, but I have talked to a lot of people since then and I understand.  Rather than just assuming that the people don't want more police, it really is an issue of mistrust of the city in how the additional money would be spent, according to the many I have talked with.  The Chief most likely also just did too well with what the city did not give him.  Chief Walser deserves an award for the job he has done not the slap in the face the City Council gave him. 
• I recently had a vandalism issue at my house and called the police---they were here within a few minutes.  Of course, my situation was not in the paper.