High fuel prices are driving some people to chance pulling away from the pumps without paying for fuel. Local fueling stations have video surveillance these days and the cashiers are working hard to acquire license numbers of suspect vehicles. One Chewelah resident was booked into jail on Tuesday for fueling and fleeing. Officer Pankey passed a surveillance picture around and arrested the suspect after a local business owner spotted the vehicle in traffic and reported the suspect vehicle’s location. Speaking of volatile things, we responded to three more domestic violence calls last week and a violation of a DV related no-contact order. Three suspects were booked into jail on DV charges ranging from Assault 4th to Unlawful Imprisonment- a class C felony. Some cops think the high temperatures may be a contributing factor and have concluded that window air conditioners would be less expensive than DV charges. These calls are very complicated and we frequently respond to them without backup. When the Sheriff’s Office does help us after hours the Deputy may be responding from as far away as Suncrest. Therefore, it’s always good to have a ‘backup plan.’ Recently Officer Frizzell and I were both out of State so Chief Anderson allowed Officer Pankey to drive his patrol car home during that time. A citizen noticed the commuting cruiser and decided to make a complaint to the City Council instead of asking the Chief about it. After doing some simple math, even with todays high fuel prices, the amount of money spent on fuel in several days was about half of what would have been spent on wages to call out a deputy just one time. It was a good decision which provided the best possible police services to the citizens of Chewelah. If you have a question regarding P.D. operations please feel welcome to walk into the P.D. and ask the Chief. We’ll leave the AC on for you.

Last week we pulled 45 case numbers for incidents ranging from dog complaints to domestic violence arrests. We don’t assign a case number to every task so the number of situations we deal with are easily double the number of case numbers. This can be a little challenging and could be compared to writing at least one and sometimes several book reports in a ten hour shift. If you possess some courage, are in acceptible physical condition and liked writing book reports in school, perhaps you should consider a career in police work. Here’s what we did last week. The speedboard was placed here and there; a lost and found report; an alarm; an agency assist; a couple security checks; about four welfare checks and a missing person report. A harassment complaint; agency assists to the S.O.; a traffic complaint and a harassment complaint. We served civil papers; handled a parking complaint; four dog complaints and received another report of lost property. Another found property report; a welfare check; another welfare check; a noise complaint and two reports of residential burglary. A hit and run investigation; a report of an aggressive dog which was running at large; a prowler complaint; and a disturbance in progress.

In traffic enforcement last week motorists were issued tickets for the following violations. No Valid Operators License without ID/ No Insurance; Speeding 38 in a 25 / NVOL with ID/ No Insurance and another speeder was ticketed for 35 in a 25. A DWLS/R 3rd/ No Insurance; a ticket for failure to restrain a child in a safety belt and a motorist was ticketed for having an expired vehicle license.

On Tuesday Officer Bailey ran a license plate on a vehicle which was parked near a residence on private property. As it turned out it was a stolen car so he and Officer Pankey investigated the circumstances. They contacted the legal owner of the vehicle who explained the details of the theft and then requested that the car be towed by a reputable towing company. While the officers were inspecting the vehicle, a man and woman drove up and parked at the residence. The woman said that she was the driver of the vehicle in question and she showed the officers her keys. The woman was arrested for possession of stolen property and the man she was with was also arrested for a felony warrant, for Fraud, out of Oregon. Both the man and woman professed their innocence and claimed that their being arrested was a terrible injustice. I’d have to call it outstanding police work. As for the suspects, they can profess their innocence to the judge in the morning.

Calls from last week included the following incidents. A few skunk traps were farmed out last week to people who were interested in reducing the skunk population near their homes. The owner of the feed store reported damage to merchandise which was stored outside. The complainant suspected that loitering kids with too much time on their hands may have been responsible for the damages. Three requests for security checks; an information report; an incomplete 911 call to the grocery store and a late-night response to an intrusion alarm at a convenience store. The alarm was tripped when a fan blew merchandise around. That sure beats another burglary. We responded to a welfare check at an apartment complex; arrested a suspect on a Department of Corrections warrant; served civil papers and responded to look for a possible DUI that left the Liquor Store after being refused service. We received a disturbance call at an apartment complex; delivered an emergency message; responded to another incomplete 911 call and investigated a suspicious person complaint. A collision was investigated; a report of a welfare check; a complaint of dogs at large; a report of an intoxicated man and another disturbance call. We received a report of an intoxicated man; a report of a theft 3rd/ burglary 2nd; a report of a possible hit and run; a verbal D.V. and another report of an intoxicated man (the same guy) who was cited this time for having an open alcoholic container in public.

In traffic enforcement last week just a few tickets issued. The most serious violation of traffic law was caught by Officer Pankey who wrote a motorist for having a revoked license/ no insurance and expired tabs. I referred to the violation as serious because, if you’re in a collision with a driver who has a revoked license and no insurance it can greatly complicate your life. The other tickets were issued for no insurance and two motorists were issued notices of infraction for failure to wear a seatbelt. Not wearing a seatbelt can also be pretty serious in the event of a traffic collision. That’s why your insurance company and your family want you to buckle up.

Fireworks displays were bursting in the air over Stevens County last weekend. There is no doubt that the same was true across the Nation as Americans participated in the celebration of Independence Day from ‘sea to shining sea.’ The individual freedoms we enjoy in America are a blessing to us all, a gift from the hand of Providence and purchased with the personal sacrifices of our ancestors who, as common men and women, became the founders of our Nation along side those of greater notoriety. It has been previously mentioned that, in order to preserve this freedom we enjoy, we must be eternally watchful for it’s foreign and domestic adversaries. So, along with our inalienable rights which we are happy to receive, we are also bound to the responsibility of taking an active role in the maintenance or preservation of liberty for future generations. As one who has taken an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America, I would say that it should be an important part of our culture to rekindle the individual American’s appreciation of freedom. That is what Independence Day and, as I recall, the original Chataqua celebration was all about. Just a reminder that the fine for illegal fireworks is about $1,000.00 and up to 90 days in jail so it will pay to have some restraint.

Here are the calls from last week. A civil paper service; a dog complaint; a fight call; a harassment complaint and a person was arrested on a warrant. An agency assist all to the S.O.; a noise complaint; another agency assist to the S.O. and an officer pulled a couple cases for information reports in order to document incidents for future reference. A dog at large complaint; a parking problem was reported; a report of loud music and a TRO violation. A vehicle prowl 2nd was reported; a report of a found bicycle; a report of a residential burglary and we received a report of a criminal trespass 2nd. Two more information reports; a theft complaint; a report of dogs at large; a custody dispute and a report of a collision. A dog impound; a missing person report; we received several complaints of malicious mischief after someone damaged mail boxes and we received another information report. An assault report; a report of a stolen vehicle; an information report; an agency assist; a security check; and another info report. A runaway complaint; another malicious mischief report; a theft; a traffic complaint; a welfare check and we received several reports of fireworks.

Traffic enforcement was light last week with only one speeder being ‘signed up’ for 45 in a 25 mph zone, another motorist was ticketed for fail to transfer title within 45 days/ no insurance and one ticket for no seatbelt. Don’t worry, traffic enforcement should pick up this weekend. Have a safe and enjoyable Chataqua!

Sunday night a State Trooper asked a Chewelah Officer to acquire some information from an
accident victim who was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital. The Trooper advised that five
people were traveling in a small car near Deer Lake when their vehicle struck a moose that had
wandered into the roadway. The moose rode on top of the car for some distance with it’s hooves
stuck through one of the car windows. The moose’s hooves thrashed against a car seat, with an
infant strapped in it, until the moose slid off the car and fell to the pavement, mortally wounded.
Thankfully no one in the car was seriously injured! Just goes to show us all that we need to be
looking for animals of all kinds on the roadway. A couple weeks ago a man told me he was
listening to a scanner when he heard dispatch calling officers and an ambulance crew to a
collision involving a car vs. deer that was fully engulfed in flames. The man said that he didn’t
know deer were so flammable….. Hmmm.

Here are the calls from last week. A Chewelah resident came to the P.D. in search of a skunk
trap; the Chief investigated a two-vehicle injury collision; an ambulance assist; a citizen assist
and a dog at large complaint. A harassment report; an agency assist to the Sheriff’s Office;
another ambulance assist and a theft report. A report of found property; we responded to an
intrusion alarm; a barking dog complaint; threats; a report of an erratic driver and a report of
more harassment. A dispute between neighbors; a report of a suspicious odor; a civil paper
service; another dog complaint and a report of minors drinking at a residence near the middle
school. A report of two men arguing at an apartment complex; a report of locks being tampered
with; an agency assist; an information report and an officer found an unsecured building on a
security check. A dog impound; a gas drive-off; a runaway report; a warrant arrest of a Spokane
theft suspect; a welfare check and a juvenile was arrested for theft 3rd at the grocery store. The
juvenile was evicted permanently from the store property. The juvenile will also be stuck with
monetary fines and may spend a good part of the summer in Martin Hall.

In traffic enforcement motorists were charged with the following violations. NVOL with ID/ no
insurance; another NVOL w/ ID/ no insurance; Driving Under the Influence/ possession of
marijuana; no seatbelt; another NVOL w/ ID/ no insurance and a DWLS/R 2nd. And last, but
not least, another DUI/ Fail to Obey Officer/ Negligent Driving 2nd degree and no insurance.
Here’s some good advice that is free. Make sure you have a valid license before driving a car,
make sure you don’t loan your car to anyone who doesn’t have a license. Make sure you have a
valid insurance card in your car. Also, if you drink and drive, your days of having a perfect
driving record are numbered. Save your money and save a life this 4th of July. Don’t drink and
drive. Happy Independence Day from the Chewelah P.D.

Last week we received a complaint of a dog at large. The dog was a Rottweiler. If you own a Rottweiler, or some other type of similarly muscular ‘guard dog’, you must understand that your dog is probably not friendly toward other people. You feed and pet your dog so it has learned to like you. No matter how mentally challenged your dog is, the conditioned response of you and food, you and food, you and food, you and food will eventually sink in. Your dog has not had this food experience with other people. Also, to most other people your dog is one very small brain which is tightly wrapped in many pounds of muscle and teeth so they do not like the dog the same way you do. Your dog may be a threat to their safety or a nuisance to their lawn. Keep your dogs penned up and don’t let them become your neighbor’s problem. If Dr. Pavlov’s research was correct then you will eventually learn this by reading the Blotter. A traffic hazard was reported by a man who said he almost hit young kids on bikes after they sped out from between two buildings; a harassment report; a juvenile was arrested after an intimidation by threat complaint and we responded to a request for an attempt to locate. A security check; a malicious mischief complaint; two agency assists and a miscellaneous report. An MHP assist was performed after a man made some pretty strange comments to an officer; a report of a suspicious person; a report of a suspicious item; a traffic complaint; a hit and run was reported at the feed store and a report of a domestic assault. We received a traffic complaint after some young people in a purple Ford Escort ( with yellow trim ) was seen splashing through ‘mud-puddles’; a report of criminal trespass 2nd; malicious mischief; an information report and we checked the airport after receiving a call of an overdue aircraft. A disturbance call; a theft of fuel; an unwanted person complaint; a vehicle prowl 2nd; a theft 2nd and another vehicle prowl. Lock your car and reduce the chances of being a victim of theft. It only takes a thief about 20 seconds to steal something out of your car.

In traffic enforcement motorists were ticketed for the following violations last week. NVOL and no insurance; speeding 55 and 35 mph in 25 mph zones; another NVOL and no insurance and one for no seatbelt.

This week a Chewelah officer responded to a complaint of domestic violence. The officer conducted an investigation and made an arrest without backup. This is fairly common practice in many smaller jurisdictions. Before making the arrest the officer told a witness that he was going to arrest the suspect for assault. The concerned witness said, ” By….your..self?” During the arrest, the alleged meth-using-needle-sharing suspect grew increasingly more agitated and refused to cooperate while backing into a kitchen where the officer noticed numerous knives. The tension rose and the use of force was clearly imminent. When the officer displayed an issued Taser the suspect recoiled and looked away while anticipating a painful impulse from the Taser. ( Everyone at the P.D. has been shot with it and we all agree that it does hurt. Probably a little less painful than passing a kidney stone. ) Anyway, the officer used the moment of distraction to gain control of the suspect’s arm and make the arrest without even having to fire the Taser. Please take a moment and try to imagine what kind of courage you would have to muster up in order to subdue an angry, combative, needle-sharing, meth using assault suspect. If you imagined that then you may be able to appreciate what a great tool the Taser was on this call. It’s mere presence at the call was ’shocking’ enough to create a window of opportunity to arrest the suspect conventionally without the slightest injury or further incident. The Taser is an exceptional tool and we are thankful to carry them on calls like this. Still there will always be a few ill-informed critics, some criminals, who will blabber from the safety of their homes while eating ice cream and sitting in soft chairs. I think most doctors would agree that excessive consumption of ice cream has caused more problems in America than Tasers ever will.

The Blotter is being written a little early this week. Due to this and a slightly lighter call volume account for fewer calls listed this week. A 911 hang-up call, an agency assist to the SCSO; a security check request and a CPS referral. A complaint of a stolen vehicle; an identity theft complaint; another agency assist and a theft complaint. A juvenile was arrested and booked into jail for making threats to kill; two misc investigations; a welfare check and a report of a traffic complaint involving a juvenile male who sat in the street with his back to traffic while two friends stood nearby and watched a car approach. A welfare check request; a traffic complaint; fireworks; a dog complaint; a found bicycle and another dog complaint. Two noise complaints; an assault 4th D.V. complaint/ arrest; a welfare check and a report of a traffic collision.

In traffic enforcement there were tickets for no insurance, NVOL, no motorcycle endorsement, no seatbelt and negligent driving. The negligent driving ticket was written to a young driver who failed to negoicate a sharp corner on wet pavement. This young driver will always remember that even rough pavement is slippery when wet. No one was injured in the crash but the car was munched and a telephone pole was fractured by the impact and needed to be replaced. Remember that school will soon be out for the summer so remember to follow the rules of the road to minimize the number of traffic problems. Slow down and watch for skate boards, bicycles, scotters, horses and pedestrians using the roadway.

Last, but certainly not least, congratulations and best wishes to the graduating Class of 2005!