The
INSIDE
Islands’ eekly W
Letters
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 2 Anne and George Willis photo
Land purchase
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 3
Preschool Bazaar
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 4
www.islandsweekly.com 360-376-4500
VOLUME 35, NUMBER 46 • NOVEMBER 24, 2015
2015 in review with the undersheriff By Meredith M. Griffith Special to the Journal
When sheriff Ron Krebs took the helm of the San Juan County Sheriff ’s Office this January, he appointed Lead Detective Brent Johnson his second in command as undersheriff. The Journal asked Johnson to share his perspective on the past year. One of his top messages to the community was this: “We have good deputies. They’re here to serve, and they really do try to serve. As a whole, the deputies are good people. We want people to call, and we’re here to
HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS FROM SWAP! JUNK BONDS & NEW 4-COLOR COLLECTIBLES!
ART CARDS by Christa Malay 9 different scenes from the Lopez Dump T-SHIRTS & SHOPPING BAGS Available from the SWAP booth at the Pre-School Bazaar Sat, November 28 Port Stanley School Holiday Art & Craft Sale Sat, December 5 Islander Craft Fair Sun, December 6
SUPPORTS THE LOPEZ DUMP!
serve, and we will listen to you and try to make things better if we can.” As undersheriff, Johnson said he helps Krebs hammer out decisions on department policy, and he also provides support to the deputies, helping provide them with needed training and equipment. He said the most critical law enforcement issues he sees facing our community are domestic violence, alcohol and drugs, and driving under the influence. Not surprisingly, Johnson also said drug and alcohol abuse is one of the main drivers behind domestic violence. As for how the changing of the guard has affected the law enforcement department, said Johnson, “I would hope the community as a whole would realize that Sheriff Krebs has looked at
the department and he is trying to address things in the department that have become weak, that have not been addressed in the past four years. We had to correct a lot of those issues.” Johnson said at the top of their list for reform was communication: with the community; with groups like Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services, EMS and fire; and inter-department communication with deputies on staff. “Some organizations basically stopped hearing from us, and that was a real shame,” he said. Johnson said that at the beginning of 2015, the San Juan Island EMS department was not making use of the sheriff ’s boat for emergencies due to an earlier breakdown in communication. “Now we have good com-
Annual Craft Fair Sat., Dec. 5 10 am-3 pm and Sun., Dec. 6 10 am-3 pm Come join us for a wide array of arts and crafts from all islands.
Any questions, call Kathy or Sydney 468-2233
Islander
Resort
Family owned since 1997
munications, and a boat policy,” he said. “We also have training requirements for all the people that use that boat. We are back together as a full team.” Johnson said that he believes this year, deputies are handling calls and listening to the public better, adding, “I think the public is happier with us… We’re not perfect and we’re not going to solve all crimes. I wish we could. But we are definitely trying to do the right thing, and trying to do things the right way.” In regard to domestic violence, Johnson said he and Krebs have been working to develop more effective policies and ways to follow state RCWs, as the existing county protocol was “way outdated.” He said discussions with DVSAS have helped the department better understand domestic violence dynamics so they can improve deputy response. “Domestic violence can be a very dangerous call for us, but also affects so many people in our community,” said Johnson. “No matter the economic standing, color, background, [domestic violence] crosses all economic lines. We really have to keep our eyes open and be fair, listen to what’s going on and what’s being told to us.” He
Lopez Center presents
Applying for or Renewing Your Health Insurance?
Let us help you enroll! The Lopez Island Family Resource Center staff is available to assist any adult or child enroll, change or renew your health insurance plan. Call us at 468-4117 for more details and learn about the importance of having health insurance in 2016 to avoid higher fees on your income taxes. Applications will be confidential.
wants people to know that the law very specifically requires that, in any domestic violence situation, if the officer can establish who is the primary aggressor, that person must be arrested. “To me, what makes police work very unique, is that we as police officers must protect the suspect as well as the victim, and that is kind of unique in our system,” he said. “When someone is accused of a crime, I work for him too, at that point. We have to protect both sides.” He added, “Our ultimate hope is not to put someone
Wed., Dec. 2nd - 7:30pm Juno Award Winners & 4 time CFMA Winners
Adult $18 Youth $8 stunning three-part vocal harmonies
in jail, although that is sometimes necessary, but how can we help this family so it doesn’t continue to happen, so they can live in peace and have a decent family experience?” Though women do sometimes offend, he said that in his experience, primary aggressors are male. As for drug abuse and drug sales in San Juan County, Johnson said, “It’s very difficult to work on those, because … the folks who are doing drugs know who we are, they know where we live, they go to school with our kids. We have to depend a lot on informants, because we can’t buy drugs from somebody unless they’re really stupid.” He said that community members sometimes express frustration SEE REVIEW, PAGE 5
Tickets: PSR, Lopez Bookshop, Blossom, lopezcenter.org
Lopez Holiday Bazaar Sat., November 28 10 am to 3 pm Lopez School Gymnasium
Featuring Many Exciting Quality Arts & Crafts Featuring Many New Vendors Fantastic raffle prizes, including gift certificates, art, spa treatments & event tickets Delicious Food • Bake Sale • Santa Photos
Contact 468-2045 for more info
Proceeds benefit the Lopez Preschool
Open Fri & Sat 7am-5pm Sun 7am to 4 pm Thru Nov 29th Holly B's Cookbook, Holiday Stollen, Gingerbread People, Granola, Holly B's Coffee Beans and Holly B's T-shirts make wonderful gifts to give or send.
Many Thanks for a terrific 2015 season!
468-2133