SHAKING DOWN THE CITIZENS
Submitted to Shelton Blog by Tom Davis Mason County Progressive
Last week, County Commissioners approved a 2 year contract between the Sheriff’s Office and the community of Timberlakes for up to $80,000 in fees for what is being called “enhanced” policing services.
Why must some communities pay twice for policing services; once with their property tax dollars and again through private contracts? The agreement states these services are meant to “supplement, not substitute for current manning levels“, but there is reason to believe that is not entirely true, as each private contract is an admission that current levels of enforcement are inadequate.
It is no secret that the Sheriff and the County do not see eye to eye over funding issues. And when political opinions collide, it is often the taxpayer who loses. So, what started in Lake Cushman is now in Timberlakes, and it is unlikely to end there.
But before any more communities enter into one of these private contracts, there needs to be a top down efficiency audit performed on the Sheriff’s operation. Currently, the County is holding $7.2M in surplus funds; it only makes sense to spend a few of those taxpayer dollars to assure that $10M budgeted for law enforcement is being used as effectively and efficiently as possible.
Commissioner Sheldon defends the practice of private contracts, saying “It works”. But for whom does it really work? For the community that pays twice for budgeted services? For a public that pays benefits and overtime of officers engaged in private contracts? It is the County that benefits most from such arrangements, by allowing what is effectively a supplemental appropriation to be funded directly by some citizens, and indirectly by the rest of us. Call it what you like, an agreement, a contribution, even a voluntary tax; it’s still an out-of-pocket expense for a budgeted service.
Among citizens, public safety is the number one concern, even above jobs. And for good reason; there is too much crime and too many complaints about law enforcement not responding to calls for assistance in a timely manner. Crime rates affect our economy, our sense of security and our personal lives. Nothing is more important.
The Sheriff and the Commissioners need to pull in their horns and get to work on a better mousetrap: Commissioners need to adopt a budget that meets the needs of law enforcement and law enforcement needs to be audited to work within that budget.
If our elected officials can’t find a solution to this, the most important of all issues, without charging citizens twice for the same services, then the citizens need to replace them with people who can.
Photo: www.co.washington.or.us
It is time for citizens to take off the gloves and demand law enforcement stop whining about money and start focusing on improving our dismal crime statistics. High profile cases attract a parade, but they are few and far between. The real measure of performance is in response times to everyday domestic and property crime.
ReplyDeleteCitizens have shown overwhelming support for the Sheriff, and will continue to do so, but loyalty is a two way street, and a poor substitute for assistance, when needed. Dogs and SWAT vehicles have become toys, instead of tools of the trade. Boots on the ground is what we pay for, with smart, fit, mature officers filling them.
If the Sheriff wants to cowboy up more money, he needs to start rounding up more bad guys.
Thank you Tom for this important and informative article. I had not looked at it this way: that some folks are paying twice for the same service - first through their property taxes, and again through these contracts with the county.
ReplyDeleteHopefully we will shortly elect new county commissioners capable of seeing the big picture.
I like Roslynne Reed for Tim's seat, Denny Hamilton for Lynda's seat, and maybe it is time to give Ross Gallagher a chance to redeem his failure to support the citizens (and his Democratic party's principles) during the Adage fiasco.
I supported Brenda Hirschi when Ross lost his seat because I felt that Ross was not LISTENING TO or HEARING his constituents, and Brenda was front and center in questioning the wisdom of placing another biomass incinerator in our community.