Reporter ISSAQUAH | SAMMAMISH
Friday, July 4, 2014
The Issaquah-Sammamish Reporter Proudly Sponsors...
7pm
www.issaquahreporter.com
Sammamish adopts rules for homeless encampments New ordinance lists limits, conditions BY KELLY MONTGOMERY
ISSAQUAH/SAMMAMISH REPORTER
Issaquah’s new Police Chief Scott Behrbaum: ‘I feel very fortunate working in this community.’ LINDA BALL, Issaquah & Sammamish Reporter.
MEET THE CHIEF Scott Behrbaum plans to keep Issaquah safe
BY LINDA BALL ISSAQUAH/SAMMAMISH REPORTER
When you meet Issaquah’s new Police Chief, Scott Behrbaum, you notice his height and authoritative appearance. But he’s also a really nice guy who cares a great deal about the community he and his force protect. Behrbaum, 41, was chosen from three internal candidates to replace former chief Paul Ayers, who recently retired. Apply for His background Citizens Police explains his need to help others. His dad was a Academy coach and teacher and Page 6 his great-grandfather was with the sheriff ’s department before serving as the chief of police in Enumclaw. Behrbaum decided being a police officer was the best way to have an immediate impact in helping the community feel safe as well as helping people get through times of crisis. “I really wanted to help people and serve my community,” Behrbaum said. “That adds to the quality of life in Issaquah.” He plans to continue with a collaborative approach within Issaquah on local issues. When asked about the lack of serious crime in Issaquah, that’s fine with him. “That’s part of why our city is regarded as a great place to raise a family,” he said. “(But) we’re always preparing for that next
Behrbaum bio ■ Washington native who grew up in Enumclaw. ■ Bachelor’s degree from UW in society and justice. ■ Master’s degree in public administration. ■ Attended FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va., in 2010, studying leadership and enhanced investigation. ■ Been with Issaquah Police Department since 1995. ■ Married to wife, Megan. Both were part of UW rowing program, Megan as a coxswain. incident and we want to be able to respond quickly.” Like the rest of the nation, the department faces the problem of dealing with people who have mental health issues. Behrbaum would like to see those who need help, get it, and subscribes to the philosophy of “see something, say something” because it could be a piece of the bigger puzzle. However, he added, people who break the law must be held accountable. Behrbaum also supports the program, Map your Neighborhood, whereby neighbors are encouraged to get together to see who has what resources in the event of a disaster/crisis. Knowing your neighbors also helps prevent crime, Behrbaum said, because people will recognize a stranger in their neighborhood. Heroin use is a nationwide problem, and Issaquah is not immune to the same trend. Behrbaum said he’s looking at methods vari-
ous faith groups, human services groups and the Drug Free Community Coalition are using to make sure efforts aren’t duplicated. Regarding marijuana, while Issaquah is allowed only one retailer, Behrbaum is concerned about its public use, DUIs and accessibility to minors. “We’ll have to wait and see, just like when liquor was allowed to be sold privately,” Behrbaum said. “We actively work with the liquor control board on liquor accessibility and will with marijuana, too.” Moving forward, Behrbaum plans to continue community outreach. He encourages people to keep track of serial numbers on their valuable property so that it’s easier to track if stolen. He also wants to use social media more. The department has applied for a grant with the Department of Justice to employ a community resource officer, sort of like a school resource officer, but one who is neighborhood focused.
The Sammamish City Council made their ordinance decision on homeless encampments Tuesday night, as hundreds packed City Hall to, once again, voice their opinions. After hours of public comment and council discussion, with some community members asking for stricter regulations on homeless encampments and others asking for more leniency, an ordinance was adopted, which states that: • Only one homeless encampment shall be permitted in the city within a 365-day period, and no more than one homeless encampment may located be within the city limits at a time; • No homeless encampment shall operate within the city for more than three consecutive calendar months; • A site may only host an encampment once every 18 months, calculated from the start of the stay; • Homeless encampment members must undergo mandatory checks for criminal warrants and sex offender status prior to occupying a site, and any resident who wishes to move into the camp must do the same. The issue of background checks sparked much public concern. While multiple speakers said that requiring homeless encampment members to undergo background checks is unconstitutional, the council said that idea was never on the table. However, on May 13, councilmember Nancy Whitten had concerns over warrant checks, stating that they do not cover criminal records such as felony or assault, and inquired about the possibility of conducting background checks. SEE HOMELESS, 6