HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works November 10 20151
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Public Works, Health, and Safety Committee
November 10, 2015
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Barbara Brenner called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. in the
Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
Present: Barbara Brenner, Pete Kremen, and Ken Mann
Absent: None
Also Present: Rud Browne, Carl Weimer, Barry Buchanan, and Satpal Sidhu,
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. BRIEFING ON CRIME TRENDS IN THE FOOTHILLS AREA OF WHATCOM
COUNTY (AB2015 -339)
Bill Elfo, Sheriff, gave a staff report on the crime spree occurring in east Whatcom
county. Five people are being sought or arrested, and they're at various stages in the
criminal justice process. He described the criminal history of the suspects. The Sheriff's
Office deputies are having meetings with the community. They have diverted patrols to this
area.
Brenner asked if these suspects have been found guilty. Elfo stated some have on
certain various charges.
Brenner asked if a person is eligible to go to drug court more than once. Elfo stated
he will have to look into it and provide an answer.
Brenner asked if the Sheriff's Office can request higher bail amounts. Elfo stated
they will work more closely with the Prosecutor's Office on appropriate bail amounts.
Brenner stated people may recover their stuff at pawn shops. Elfo stated the pawn
shops have to report everything to the Sheriff's Office.
Kremen asked if there are similar crime trends in other parts of the county. Elfo
stated the burglary rate has gone down countywide, but in Glacier and Maple Falls, it has
doubled from last year and quadrupled since 2011. They will address it by trying to focus
on the criminal rather than the individual crimes. Resources are an issue. They aren't fully
staffed.
Mann asked about bail and if burglary is a misdemeanor. Elfo stated the State has
lowered the sentencing guidelines on property crimes to focus on violent criminals. They've
closed a prison. Those people end up in the local community.
Public Works, Health, and Safety Committee, 11/10/2015, Page 1
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Mann asked what has happened with the person who has committed many
burglaries. Elfo described that suspect's status in the system.
Mann asked if these suspects are stealing to feed a drug habit or because they have
no respect for someone else's property. Elfo stated it's both. Many are heroin addicts.
Buchanan asked the formal process for the Sheriff's Office and Prosecutor's Office to
discuss appropriate bail for someone who has been arrested. Elfo explained the process. If
someone is a career criminal, the Sheriff's Office will make a special effort to ask for a
higher bail and bring it to the prosecutor's attention.
Brenner stated an extra deputy or two could help. She asked if deputies can be
rotated to different areas as needed. Elfo stated they do that all the time. If they had more
deputies, he would like to have at least two deputies who are highly trained in crisis and
mental health.
Mann asked the status of all five suspects in east Whatcom county. Elfo stated two
are in jail, one is out on bail, and two are at large. He believes these individuals are
responsible for the bulk of the increased crime in eastern Whatcom county. From 2011,
there has been a 434% increase in crime. They are doing everything they can to identify
these people and make sure the Prosecutor has what he needs to take this small percentage
of the offenders off the streets. He and the Executive are working on unfreezing the one
vacant deputy position that is frozen. A small percentage of people are responsible for a
large number of crimes. It takes a lot of effort by the deputies to find out who those
suspects are.
Browne asked if these suspects are local. Elfo stated they are.
Brenner stated she would like to know what the Council can do, such as installing
cameras. She asked if the criminals are on foot or in vehicles. Elfo stated they travel by
both methods.
(Clerk's Note: The meeting was adjourned at 1 :56 p.m. and reconvened at 1 :59 p.m.
to take public comments.)
Brian Lawrence described the Glacier Springs community and the increased number
of burglaries. The law enforcement response has been mixed. There aren't enough
resources for timely response or crime prevention activities. The community is afraid, and
they are also afraid that residents will take matters into their own hands. He described the
increase in crime statistics. Increases to the Sheriff's budget don't equal the increase in
crime rates. Provide the Sheriff's Office with all the resources they need. A 300 -mile patrol
area is not appropriate for Whatcom county.
Janet Frye stated her home was burglarized, and they stole guns and her son's
prescription medications. She didn't know what to do. The neighbors called 9 -1 -1, but it
took time for someone to get there. Someone at dispatch should have informed her what to
do in the meantime.
Brenner stated the Sheriff's Office should provide information to the citizens on what
they can do to prevent a break -in or in the event of a break -in. Elfo stated dispatch could
provide better direction. He will look into that issue. They're trying to organize block
watches.
Public Works, Health, and Safety Committee, 11/10/2015, Page 2
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OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The 4m gtinp,adjourned at 2:10 p.m.
Dank Brow nDevl ;Ctsutacilerk
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Barbara Brenner, Committee Chair
Public Works, Health, and Safety Committee, 11/10/2015, Page 3