RSSStopping crime-- New tactics welcome, but be cautious
Yakima Herald-Republic Editorial Board
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This editorial appears in the Sept. 29, 2009, Yakima Herald-Republic.
New approaches to nabbing drug traffickers and other serious criminals are always welcome, but they need to be considered cautiously. Too often, a new strategy may end up creating more problems than it solves.
We hope that is not the case with a pilot program that was tested by the city of Yakima's police department that sent officers on patrols along state highways far from the city limits.
Under the program, which ended last week, several officers were dispatched to such areas as Interstate 82 near the Yakima Training Center and along U.S. Highway 97 south of Toppenish. To prepare for the patrols, these officers underwent training in what is called criminal interdiction, which teaches them how to spot suspicious activities on heavily traveled highways -- like erratic driving or vehicles modified to carry large quantities of drugs.
While it's rare that city police departments patrol outside their jurisdictions, commissioned officers are allowed to work anywhere within the state. Yakima police took the necessary step of receiving a thumbs up for the program from the Washington State Patrol, which is responsible for surveillance of state highways.
It's no secret that criminals are highly mobile, and stopping them before they reach city limits is a great way to protect Yakima's residents.
However, Yakima's police department needs to keep a close eye on what has taken place inside the city during these outward-bound patrols. Have the nature and incidents of crime inside the city limits changed? Not too long ago, extra officers were put on the street to combat gang violence. We don't want to have a situation where these anti-gang efforts suffer.
And while officials say the added patrols will not cost the city any additional money, that too needs to be monitored closely.
The collapse of the joint Yakima City-County Narcotics Unit earlier this year makes these new approaches to halting such criminals as drug traffickers all the more necessary. We want to make sure, though, that the city conducts a thorough and candid assessment of these patrols before making the program permanent.
* Members of the Yakima Herald-Republic editorial board are Michael Shepard, Bob Crider, Spencer Hatton and Karen Troianello.
I have a novel idea - let's all start open-carrying in our neighborhoods like they do in many areas of Arizona, where the illegals are so thick, they outnumber the resident population. We are getting there.
Such is perfectly legal as long as you review the laws for weapons possession, carrying, and concealed permits - and follow them religiously.
Do all possible things to minimize crimes.
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I support the law abiding to legally arm themselves but caution all to seek professional training for their self defense as provided by Firearms Academy of Seattle.
I emphasize the role of an armed citizen is for Self Defense nothing more, we have law enforcement for seeking out and enforcing our established laws.
This is where I suggest to seek quality affordable professional training.
http://www.firearmsacademy.com/
Having a firearm for Self Defense a Grave Responsibility comes with it in being safe and training for your and your families protection, invest in it.
I for one don't oppose any responsible person owning, displaying (by which I mean carrying), and using a firearm. However, since a period of time when I was actually in a position of hunting and shooting at people, I don't want anthing to do with those things.
Report ViolationI made a suggestion years ago that the current cities dissolve their police departments and policing in the county, is done by districts across the valley. Then all policing is paid fo by one entity that controls every officer that is on crime patrol. It seems ridiculous to me to have so many overlapping patrols by different agencies that are out to control the same thing, CRIME ! There is so much waste in this valley being each town wants their own authority and the sheriff has his authority. The state patrol has their authority and the US Marshall has their authority. It goes on and on. I realize they work well together. But look at all the $100,000.00 police chiefs and assistants we are paying in this valley. Look at all the monies that could go directly to crime instead of in the pockets of a few people. Of course with so many chiefs, this idea will never fly because they will lobby against it! But, our policing agencies can do a better job. Not that they aren't doing a good job now. But, people can get complacent and it is easy to see this in government today !
Report ViolationJust a few days ago the sherrifs log had an incident where sherrifs where called to a yakima incident as there were no ypd available to take the call. I think that speaks for it self. I just dont see how they thought it was a good idea when they cant take care of the city's problems.
Report ViolationIt is kind of a catch 22. If you put YPD on the highways and freeways you have less to report to an incident. But if you have them all in town then drug, gun and human smugglers travel freely. A few questions.
Is State Patrol not able to do this on their own? Or does it happen so much they are innudated with all of it?
Another thought is if that this works (YPD on high/freeways) then gangs don't get their drugs they sell or guns used for shooting. So it has some impact in the community but it will be an accumlative impact.
The drug war is a failur. Always has been always will be. Shure tons of drugs are taken off the streets but way more makes it to the consumer. Prohibition of drugs has done nothing but create a black market. A market that puts billions of dollars in terrorist and cartels pockets every year. Not everyone will agree with me but thats ok. With that said, this program is just additional waste on top of the drug war.
Another thing, cartels and gangs do not want drug policy to change. They need the black market to keep thier pockets full. Just something to think about.
Nick really is way off. If you think crime is all illegals then you really have zero clue and are blind to what is really going on. I've stated before, spend one afternoon with me in the ER and you'll se the gangs who are english speaking! These are 1st/2nd generation kids! If you really want to stop immigrants from comming to Yakima then fine the big farmers/warehouses/resturants/slum loards who hire them/rent to them! This won't take care of crime but it'll surely satisfy your hatred. I wonder what would have happened had they Native Americans used Nick approach back when Europeans were entering?
Report ViolationFredo that was well said, but nick is somewat correct it is the hispanics who bring most of the drugs in to town. But gues whos the number 1 buyer, and nick it's not the hispanics... so help the addicted, n hurt the sellers.....
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