Meeting with Sheriff's Dept.

On Monday, December 8, 2008, George Wilson, Rollie Schmitten, David McDonald, and Gary Schuster met with Lieutenant Kent Sisson, the head of Patrol Operations for the County Sheriff’s Office. The group was representing residents in the greater Lake Wenatchee area and expressed concerns for speeding on both sides of the lake, a recent break-in attempt, response times, and general lack of enforcement presence in the area. Lt. Sisson agreed that the area had not been well covered primarily due to the lack of 2 officers. They normally run at 9-10 officers at full strength in the West Region of the county and operated all summer at 7. They are now back up to nine and he indicated that we should expect to see more of an officer presence. The group asked for early morning and later afternoon patrols to reduce speed from contractors and others working in the area as well as making weekend patrols. While the group noted that the placing of speed machines were helpful, their benefit quickly waned without officer presence. They believed that the issuance of some tickets would go farther to deter the speeding problem. Lt. Sisson asked that when possible we report vehicle description and license number of offenders to the dispatch office (phone 663-9911 Lovely by Surprise rip ) and they will send them to all officers to use if the driver is later stopped. In discussion of break-ins and fire, Lt. Sisson urged the use of alarms, especially silent alarms and he urged that the dispatch office always be notified of any such incidents. Lt. Sission, is open to some sort of an organized public involvement group (eyes and ears) to assist the Sheriff’s department in law enforcement issues arising in the area, but noted that there is no funding presently available. Wenatchee has formed such a group and Lt. Sisson said that he would discuss it among the officers in this region and the department commanders. The meeting was positive, but the proof will be if there is a renewed effort in law enforcement presence in the Lake Wenatchee area. Please let any of the four of those attending the meeting of any concerns that you may have with law enforcement.

Copy and keep in a handy place: Chelan County Sheriff Dispatch non-emergency number: 663-9911