Town considers curbing traffic offenses, property crimes

Mayor Ramon Hayes acknowledges the Town will have to think outside the box to quell upticks in property crimes and traffic offenses that have coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Crime is on the rise,” Hayes told Councilmembers during their May 11 Zoom meeting. “It’s a fact.

But thus far he and Town Administrator Scott Thomas have been working with something akin to Pandora’s Box.

Options that appeared promising at first have been swatted down.

Thomas presented to Council a 2017 Ford Taurus for $11,300 via a federal surplus sale for use by a county administered citizen’s patrol and in other public safety roles.

“It appears to be in good shape,” Thomas said, “and it’s equipped. I see these things very rarely.”

Thomas said prior searches for surplused vehicles have not yielded a comparable car.

“We haven’t found a vehicle with less than a half million miles on it,” he quipped.

That still did not pass muster with concerns expressed over cost, utility and committing to a citizen’s patrol in the first place.

“I think we’re getting ahead of ourselves,” Councilmember Jacques Brunisholz said of the prospect of linking the car to a citizen’s patrol. “I don’t feel we need it at all. I’m opposed to a citizen’s patrol in this small of a town. I think it’s ludicrous.

“We need a decision whether we want a citizen’s patrol before we purchase a vehicle,” he insisted. “I’ve talked to residents and they’re not in favor.”

Hayes, who has called for a citizen’s patrol, said the vehicle purchase could be considered as a separate matter.

“A lot of its use could be for reimplementing a code enforcement officer position and to deter speeding,” said Hayes. “It could be very useful.”

Hayes’ advocacy included noting the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office would administer and train it and it would serve merely as additional “eyes and ears” on the ground to deter crime and mischief.

If the patrol becomes a reality, the citizen volunteers won’t be cruising in a Taurus.

Councilmember Bill Stokes said the Town could obtain an equipped car from the sheriff’s office for less cost. Councilmember, MaryLee Chamberlain called for “a vehicle to accommodate the transport of animals” for animal control services.

With little support for buying the car, Hayes quickly shifted the conversation to traffic control. A consensus emerged in favor of installing speed radar signs in high traffic volume areas such as Maple Avenue and North Third Street.

Stokes again brought up using a decoy patrol car along busy streets as a proven effective traffic control measure.

“We used to park the code enforcement car along Maple Avenue,” Stokes recalled, “and you could see the brake lights come on from cars crossing the bridge.”

Vandalism and property crimes were also discussed.

“Increased vandalism has been a concern,” said Councilmember Mary Wohleb, relaying input provided her by residents.

Sgt. Jeff Willard, who administers the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office La Conner detachment, said Undersheriff Chad Clark would be willing to make a presentation on forming a neighborhood watch program here.

“He’s really big into neighborhood watch,” Willard said, “and good at getting people together.”

Willard also insisted that the Sheriff’s Office responds to all calls for service here with deputies available to La Conner from within Skagit County Zone One, which runs from Conway to Lake Campbell.

Local police presence has been less visible due to sheer economics.

“When I started as mayor 14 years ago,” Hayes said, “we had four deputies and a half-time sergeant. As costs have escalated, we haven’t been able to afford that kind of coverage.”

The result, said Hayes, is a situation where deputies can’t be everywhere all the time.

La Conner residents Linda Peterson and LeAnn Bushey lamented that turn of events.

“In the past,” Bushey told Councilmembers, “we’ve had a good response. But it seems that in the past year it’s been lagging.”

“I know they’re busy,” Peterson said of the deputies, “but for the amount of money being paid, I’m concerned we don’t have the response time we need.”

Bushey asked if new revenue streams could be developed to fund additional law enforcement.

“We should look at it,” Hayes said. “There are options. We definitely have to be creative.”

Council also:

* Unanimously adopted a resolution expressing appreciation to residents Chip and Lysa Sherman for their tireless service to the community.

* Approved a resolution opposing mining at the headwaters of the Skagit River in British Columbia, joining the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, Port of Skagit, Skagit Public Utility District and the cities of Mount Vernon, Burlington, Anacortes and Sedro-Woolley in taking stands against the mining project. “We want to be in solidarity with these other communities and entities in Skagit County,” Chamberlain said.

* Approved a $5,900 purchase of wildland firefighting gear for La Conner Hook & Ladder.