PATRIOT BREMERTON
VETERANS LIFE: A delayed welcome home for Vietnam vets
FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015 | Vol. 18, No. 2 | WWW.BREMERTONPATRIOT.COM | 50¢
IN THIS EDITION
Red light cameras costing city thousands BY PETER O’CAIN POCAIN@SOUNDPUBLISHING.COM
NEWS Navy Reserve celebrates 100 years of service
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OPINION Daugs speaks out against red light cameras
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MILITARY Bremerton native serving on H.W. Bush
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SPORTS Crosspoint girls make state tournament
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Red light cameras cost the City of Bremerton $81,013 in 2014, despite issuing more than 6,600 tickets and collecting $533,751, according to Councilwoman Leslie Daugs. The cameras are owned by RedFlex Traffic Systems, based in Phoenix. The city pays Red-
Flex $432,000 per year for the service. After paying RedFlex, the city was left with a revenue of $101,751. That money quickly disappeared after the City paid an estimated $48,100 in labor costs to police and courts, according to Daugs. The bulk of the damage came from dismissed tickets. If the court dismisses a
red light ticket, the city pays for it. Last year, the city paid $134,664 to cover 1,086 dismissed red light tickets. The high number of tickets appear to be the result of a loophole: If the ticketed driver claims he or she wasn’t driving the ticket is dismissed, leaving the city to foot the bill. “The labor cost comes from each department’s reve-
nue, but if we continue on this trend the losses would affect the city in years to come,” Daugs said. “Currently, I was told that we are breaking even. But if all cost were associated under a line item ‘RedFlex’ it would show losses versus breaking even. “The costs above, are not costs most people take into effect when looking into actu-
al revenue. But with more detailed looking-into, there could be more costs that we are not aware of.” Mayor Patty Lent disputes Daugs’ figures, claiming they don’t account for the number of accidents prevented by RedFlex cameras. Lent did not provide the adjusted figures before press time.
City of Bremerton honors USS Bremerton Submariners welcomed to city with ceremony BY PETER O’CAIN POCAIN@SOUNDPUBLISHING.COM
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he City of Bremerton officially welcomed the USS Bremerton to its namesake city with a ceremony at the Norm Dicks Building March 2. About 50 civilians, retired Navy and sailors from the Bremerton were on-hand to recognize the Bremerton. “We love the Navy here and we love having you here,” said Ed Wolfe, county commissioner. “It’s wonderful. Thanks for being here. Thanks for everything you do.” The Bremerton arrived Feb. 25 and left March 3 for its homeport of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. “I would first like to start
Peter O’Cain / staff photo
From left to right: Petty officers second class Kory Wilson, Logan Neve, Mason Dixon and Shane Madak and Cmdr. Wes Bringham. The four sailors were awarded for excellence in their job fields by the Navy League. out saying what a great honor it is to first off be affiliated with a city, a community that has such great support for the military overall,” said Cmdr. Wes Bringham, commanding officer of the Bremerton.
“It really is something special that we’re able to pull into our namesake city. It’s like a second home port for us.” The Bremerton has a crew of 148, 89 percent of whom were born after it was com-
missioned in March 1981. While young, they’re quite capable, Bringham said. “They’re just like the city we’re from: they’re proud, they’re dedicated, loyal, friendly,” Bringham said. “And
it’s the honor of the lifetime to be able to lead this ship and call myself the captain of the Bremerton.” The Navy League awarded SEE USS BREMERTON, A9
Police remove illegal camp from city park Syringe needles and debit cards found at campsite BY PETER O’CAIN POCAIN@SOUNDPUBLISHING.COM
Members of Bremerton Police and Bremerton Parks
and Recreation filled over a dozen trash bags while removing an illegal camp from Forest Ridge Park Feb. 27. The camp was abandoned when police and park workers arrived, said Tom Cressman, parks maintenance manager. Police had received reports of littering, theft and vandal-
ism in the area according to Bremerton Police Chief Steve Strachan. A local Facebook group called Forest Ridge Park first reported the problem. “My concern is for the (homeless) people but there’s a law – you can’t camp at the park,” said Katherine Weigel,
a member of the Forest Ridge Park group. In addition, Weigel said she was worried about trash in the area and the likelihood that anyone staying in the park was probably urinating and defecating in the park as well. About five group members walk the trails every third Sat-
urday, Weigel said. They often find trash and syringe needles. To report discarded needles call the Kitsap Public Health District at 360-337-5235. Police and parks recovered syringe needles, bicycles and debit cards in the area as well. Strachan said he suspects the SEE HOMELESS CAMP, A9
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