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O.S. bank robbery yesterday
From the Ocean Shores Police Dept.:
The Ocean Shores Police Department is investigating an armed robbery that occurred at Twin Star Credit Union, 900 Pt. Brown Ave NE, on Tuesday, January 19 at 5:30pm. Bank employees reported that a lone, masked gunman came into the credit union just before closing. The gunman herded the employees to the back of the credit union and forced them to open the vault. After obtaining an undisclosed amount of money, the gunman order the employees out of the building and had them lock the door behind them. He then told the employees to walk to the nearest house, where they could call police. The gunman then fled across Pt. Brown Ave onto Ocean Shores Blvd on foot. No employees were injured. Ocean Shores Police called in off duty personnel in an effort to contain the escape route of the suspect while awaiting K-9 units from the Hoquiam Police Department and the Grays Harbor Sheriffs Office. After an extensive search of the area no suspect was located.
The gunman was described as a male, approximately 6’2’, slightly heavy set last seen wearing a long sleeve blue sweatshirt, blue jeans, brown shirt, a blue mask and gloves. The gunman was carrying a handgun.
Anyone with information can contact Det Chris Iversen or Deputy Chief Russ Fitts at 360-289-3331.
ouch!!!!
I saw this one crime watch volunteer once driving around and I was actually worried that he was too old for the job, he seemed to have a hard time just getting out of the car. But everything turned out ok, he wasn’t crime watch but an actual police officer instead…
No worries Raf, by the end of the month you won’t even know we have a police department, there’s hardly anyone left. And that one officer that is on duty will be really busy responding to burglaries, vandalisms, DV’s, animals calls, people with mental health problems, neighborly disputes and other things that they always respond to. It’s just that there used to be two of them to handle calls and now there will only be one. They have better things to do than sit outside your house, unless you’re a frequent flyer in the back of those suburbans or a known ticking time bomb that’s voted most likely to hold a family of racoons hostage in exchange for fish and chips.
Miller, The problem is that if I ever published my last name, I would have one of those cute suburbans parked in front of my house full time, waiting for me to jaywalk, and I would just as soon keep them out on patrol or whatever they usually do. Oh, I forgot; Fords.
Each Year at the Elks a Dinner and awards are given to Local Police, Crime Watch, Fireman and Volunteers the Dinner is given for the personnel free of charge. A Crime Watch Volunteer of the year is chosen, I believe the public can pay to attend Rafael why don’t you give it a try, and Tom why don’t you cover it.
I can’t believe you are saying this about the police, “truth hurts”. They are a very vital part of our community. Just because we do not see them out there working every day does not mean that they are not working. Do you have any idea how many calls they get in a given week? It ebbs and wans but they are busy guys. Who do you think responds when a daughter calls the police and wonders why daddy hasn’t answered the phone in 3 days? Who do you think finds Daddy’s body and notifies the EMTs, coroner, and next of kin? Who do you think makes arrangements for the deseaseds animals and calms the children who just lost their daddy? Who takes the calls from a worried wife whose husband left a note saying he was going to Ocean Shores to kill himself? Who drives on every stretch of road in this town to try to find that husband? Who do you think talks that drunk guy out of his house where he is threatening to kill his girlfriend, her kids, and them himself? And why do you think you don’t know anything about any of these situations? Because they don’t exist for you, because the police are there to handle it. They are the ones who not only respond to calls of criminal behavior but to calls of help. You don’t read about it because it would be in really BAD TASTE to print it. We don’t hear about a fraction of the things police do because it’s human decency to not report on it. Yeah, you could get the call logs if you so choose but even you would cringe at some of the stuff you would see and wouldn’t bother to follow up on it. They are cops because that is what they were called to do. They are there to clean up the mess that society has created. They don’t brag about it, they don’t asked to be commended or thanked, but it is very nice for them when they get even the most basic amount of respect for what they do. Busting criminals is not the only purpose they serve and when you live in a community such as ours, cops are dealing with a large number of calls that are not crime related, but these people need help in the ways that the police are trained to give it. So many suicides have been stopped because the cops were there to do what they were trained to do. While no crime has been committed, they respond to an altercation between neighbors that would have likely escalated to a crime, but it was distinguished because of the police presence and them doing what they are trained to do.
So let’s not make this all about crime, police officers are highly trained professionals in many aspects. They work crisis intervention, they de-escalate potentially explosive situations, they investigate suspicious behavior, they kick disruptive patrons out of bars, keep drunks off the road, find little kids wandering down the street, aid domestic and wild critters, keep your neighbor from blaring his music until 3AM, keep you from beating up your neighbor for blaring his music until 3AM, move dead critters off the road so that they dont cause an accident, investigate car accidents, identify stolen vehicles, respond to things that go bump in the night, help get abused kids out of bad situations, help parents who are being abused by their kids get out of bad situations, figure out where the lost little old man belongs, find “missing” persons, and directs a citizen to return a baby seal to the beach.
I think these arguments took a wrong turn when they started focusing on the police and crime. Sometimes they are just trying to figure out whether or not a crime actually ocurred, and a lot of the time they are just helping people. Because that is their job. That is what they take an oath to do when they accept that badge and that gun. And you can’t call BS on this argument because we teach our kids to go to the police if they need help. We do that because the policeman’s job first and foremost is to help.
If you have ever needed a cop then you know how to appreciate them. They may not respond to crimes all the time, but they respond to people. And we are all people, who at some time or another are going to find ourselves in need of help. Please remember that when you are disrespecting the people who hold that badge and have pledged to uphold a duty and responsibility to their community, whether they are on or off duty.
I hope that in your time of need, an officer is available to assist you. Because that person who holds that badge has a family who loves them, who has spent a countless number of weekends, holidays, special occassions and vacations without them, so that they could be out there on the street protecting you and your loved ones. This is not a “job” they go to, this is a lifestyle; it is not a “career”, it is a calling. Because not every one of us has the ability to see what they see, do what they do, and still come home intact at the end of their shift and try to function as a normal person.
Many of you should be ashamed at your limited visions and judgemental accusations, for you know not what you speak about. I am praying for each and every one of you that has discounted our diligent police department, that there are enough of them to serve all of you in your time of need. They really are there to serve the public but the public has seriously let them down. But I know for a fact that in your time of need, each and every one of them will look you in the eye and tell you the truth, even if they know you’re on here stabbing them in the back. Because that is what they do, it is their life, their calling, and what they have pledged to do. They will protect you even as you make attempts to destroy their credibility. And in my opinion, that takes a bigger person than you or I will ever be.
Yes, they do go on calls and maybe people should buy a scanner. Then people will learn something.
The police here don’t have what it takes to get the job done. If they did, they would work for a department that makes a difference instead of just taking their over-inflated pay without earning it. Do they even go out on calls? Or just hang around town waiting until they can go home?
So, when the burglar is breaking into your house and you dial 911, give the operator the information, wait for them to confirm the information, wait for the operator to send the dispatch call, and then face the criminal who is about to harm you, don’t forget to say, I have called the police. The paper said that the bank robber was gone in 2 and 1/2 minutes. I suggest you stop by the Discount Depot and purchase one of those guns he advertises in the North Coast News. That’s because the only police presence will be over your cold dead body or the burglar’s cold dead body. Your choice.
Grandma-One thing more. At least two and maybe more people were posting using my name. I think this is one of the abuses Tom Scanlon is talking about.
Yes, I am for real, and you could tell from the start that half of those “we need more” people posting were poster children for the police department. They seemed to be advocating that we have a cop on every corner, so can’t a guy have some fun? Some of those folks down at the PD needed a wake-up call, and I think Bunkers gave them one. I was serious about one thing though. We take our crime watch people too much for granted, and it’s time they had a little recognition. I have talked to several of them, and they aren’t very happy the way they are treated down at the station, and I think this has to be worked on. I hope you are still out there listening, members of our police force, because we would hate to lose any of them.
Rafael, are you for real? In all honesty, it looked to me like it was a joke too. You couldn’t have mis-stated much more in your posts, particularly the last one that stirred things up on here. It was so far out in left field that surely you couldn’t be serious? Because I hate to say this, but if you WERE being serious no one can TAKE you serious with some of the really off the wall things you say. So I guess if you’re serious, identify yourself because we would all like to know who the blind man amongst us so we can make sure he doesn’t step off the new curb and face plant it into a mud puddle.
Wait Rafael! Let me guess! Give the computers to crime watch?
Turning the spit always makes the juices flow faster. Ever notice what happens when you pour roach killer along the baseboards?
Sounds like someone is trying to ridicule me by duplicating my name. If you can’t think of something intelligent to say, I guess the latest tactic is to resort to insults by fraud. Children must play. Maybe its time to take the computers out of the police station.
I think the only sauce rafael is drinking is his bong water.
Rafael, lay off the sauce, you’re not making much sense here.
“Duh”, no need to be mean. I’m not going to take it personal. you are obviously a cop or related to one. As I said before, we just need to get rid of the police department and give crime watch teh responsibilities. They are not appreciated enough. They are more than capable of handling these issues until the county can get here. After all, we pay for these county services. We shouldn’t have to pay twice. And I bet the cops were sitting over at the police station briefing the new shift coming on duty and finishing up silly reports when this happened. Crime watch wouldn’t have gone off the streets to do paperwork or anything else unnecessary during their watch. They would have been patrolling the streets and stopped this bank robber in his tracks! Phooey on the gun, it was fake and for show, because we dont’ have crime here. We should deputize all the former cops we have living here in the city and give them a blue suburban. We could give them the police station too, but they would have to share it with the county since the county doesn’t have a substation. But they will when we give them the police station.
GH, I hear you loud and clear, I think some of the latest posts have been sarcasm aimed at some of the thicker headed (and probably heavier armed) inviduals in our city. Some of these posts have been testing my patience as well. And I’m not a cop EITHER! This has been a fairly absurd post by many. We are not safe without our police presence, and criminals simply knowing that our police force is down to a bare thread will give someone the cahonas to commit that crime they have been wanting to try. I used to live by the jetty as well, and in the year I was down there, never once saw a cop sitting down there and I walked daily. I know that they have been down there during storms to enforce public safety (last known, this was PART of their job) so that would also imply that patrolling the beach would be then inferred as sunbathing on the beach? Glad to see we still have a level head here, GH. Thanks for taking part and putting some sense back into this senselessness. You stated the latest crimes, and friend, I fear we have only seen the beginning. I predict it’s about to amp up and OS will be known as the best place to rob, pillage and commit crimes against humanity.
Boy no one can say facts can convince you, What is it going to take to get you to realise that we need an effective police presence, We have had 6 bussiness burglarys. one armed robbery of a bank in daylight, and a hit and run downtown in the past two weeks!!! And despite this your still going on about lazy cops, I live by the Jetty and if there out here they must be invisable, what is it going to take to convince you that we have a major problem. Yes Crime Watch does a good job they do not carry weapons and have no arrest powers, there not police, and as for the county you would have to contract with them and I think you would find you would be paying more for less, good grief wake up!!! PS I’M NO COP, and I live in a city so I will have protection.
I’ve seen the truck, if that was the Mayors idea of a good choice then I am deeply concerned about his visions about how to manage this city! That truck is just damn ugly…
I heard the Mayor bought his fancy new truck with Sgt Luck’s accrued vacation and sick pay money. And that the financial paperwork that could prove this is lost somewhere on Art’s black hole of a desk.
I hereby nominate This is Serious for mayor, whoever they are! They make more sense than anyone in the cities administration since the change in government began. Nice job, it’s good to actually see someone here who has a clue…
Ok, I think I finally get it! Rafael isn’t a dummy-head like I orginally thought, he’s doing this to be humorous and see how many responses he gets, lol!!! By making sure people keep responding we can speculate on who they are and where they work, or did work, and just keep stirring the pot. That was a good ploy, I wish I had thought of it!!! Because really, even the silliest of persons wouldn’t confuse Ford’s smallest SUV for the gigantic Chevy haul-all Suburban, and recommend that the city give to the county what the county has already created in Ocean City. That’s funny, because it’s saying get rid of the local police and then give all the police stuff to the county so they can be right here in Ocean Shores. When we all know that Crime watch can do the job of the police and the county is more than capable of responding to any calls up here. Rafael, you silly goose, you already said we didn’t need police here, why bring the county right here? We dont’ need it! It’s the citizens that are protecting this town and enforcing the laws, and we the citizens should not promote having police presence in our town unless we call the magical 911 number. And, Rafael, it was even funnier still when you said that the Sgt that is retiring is exempt, I’m still rolling on the floor laughing! That was sure to get everyone’s goat, thinking we could have canned him and the other Sgts long ago and been done with those overpriced salaries, those no-good Suburban driving, jetty sitting, road-siding, station hovering, useless radar trailer moving people who dare to call themselves “officers of the law”. Oh dear Rafael, that was so funny that I wish you would identify yourself because I’m sure we would have A LOT to talk about over coffee. You sure know how to stir up the stuff in such a hilarious fashion. You’re a riot!
You know, if we all just got along none of this would ever happen…
Wow!! I can’t believe all the different directions comments to this article have gone. A lot of nerves have been hit in people including myself. With all due respect to everyone’s comments, there seems to be quite a bit of finger pointing going on for all sorts of issues in our “quiet little town”, but not really to the right people.
So, just to touch on a few of the things in the last 40 plus comments: Whether the police or fire/medic help has been one minute or 30 minutes away, the speed limit is 20, 25, 30mph…, the current financial situation of our government(city, state, or country) the banks or businesses have alarms and/or surveillance cameras is not where blame should be laid. Blame belongs squarely with the actual criminal, no one or anything else.
The recent business break ins, the bank robbery, the “possible” hit and run all need to be blamed on the burglar, the armed robber, and the driver who may have “accidentally” hit and I would think most definately drove away knowing they hit someone or something but didn’t bother to stop and check, is where the blame lies. Everyone should quit giving them outs with all the reasons they think these things happened. They all willingly committed these crimes and will hopefully be caught and pay the price for their actions.
To the victims of these incidents I am sorry that you have had to go through them. To the police and fire personnel that were there and continue to be and for the times my family has needed you, thank you very much.
Ken, you are right about that. We are all looking for infomation since this is being talked about so much, so I am also interested in more clarification on that part of the post. And as far as your true identity, since I am a city employee as well I’m sure that I know you, Mark, Finnegan, and many others on this site…
Probably afraid of SB 6590 – 2009-10. And why do we need this law??
Ken, When someone tries to clarify something, as Finnegan did, and I might add, did an excellent job of it, why don’t you take his lead and try to come up with some of your own productive comments rather than making off-the-wall remarks? The more you comment, the more I think Rafael was right about your identity. You seem to fit the profile.
The Asst Fire Chief was not filled in the year 2005 when the asst chief became the Fire Chief. The position for Asst Fire Chief became the Job of the since eliminated Fire Chiefs duties as well as him being the City’s Risk Manager. also, when the layoffs first started 6 months ago; the Mayor was asked if the Asst Police Chiefs job could be eliminated putting that officer back into the rank and file at less pay and the Mayor stated that Chief Styner had to big of a work load and that the need was still there for the Asst Police Chief. Call me nuts but I just don’t see it.
It seems that the city didn’t have any of the money set aside other than unemployment. You would have thought that they would have kept the money separate as it accrues over the years. I guess they never expected this economy. We did have a different Financial Director then too. I guess everyone that knew about the lack of funds bailed over the last few years.
The blue vehicles are still here. They are Ford Explorers if I recall. Just look at all the officer’s houses and Public Works Ocean Lake building.
I think the hit and run would be considered an accident unless the person did it intentionally. The question still out there is if the person knew he hit the person. Then that is a different situation.
At the Fire Department, I thought there was a Assistant Chief position not filled 2 yrs ago. Then a Medic that was released last year, and then the Fire Chief this year?
Ken, once again, where’s the facts? Give us the story about the concessions that we all will understand. Give us the facts about the firemen and paramedics. A “rumor has it” statement doesn’t give us much either. Practice what you preach. You sound like another police officer or are related to one.
Two answers to two questions. First to situation normal, What they need is a substation here, in the middle of the largest population base on the North Beach, where it can do the most good. The police station was built in 1987, and it was designed specifically for a police station, so the logical re-use would be for that purpose. You have to be willing to give something to get something is my philosophy, and what we would be getting is that officer base located here. The suburbans I am referring to are the 8 blue ones that McEachin leased right before he left town, and didn’t get an approval from anyone to lease. You don’t see them around much anymore, so I too am wondering where they all went.
Ken: As far as fire department layoffs here, I suggest you look at what happened when they tried to lay off the last fireman. The union members gave up their year end bonuses to keep the man, and this year they also gave concessions, although no one really knows what they gave up.
What did the police union volunteer to give up to save their people? From what I hear, absolutely nothing, but please correct me if I am wrong. Remember that the sergeant that retired was not an officer but an exempt employee, that the mayor said would have been replaced except for the large pay accrual he had upon his retirement. The city, in its budget, does not have an account for accrued sick and vacation pay, so exactly what are you referring to? If you want to blame someone, why not go after the 2007 mayor and his city council? He and one of his cohorts are still in town.
Peck, I think the second major crime was the fact that they person drove off, making it a “hit and run”. Very serious crime. Rafael, what “surburbans” are you referring to? And are you not aware that a North Beach Substation already exists? And why “give” all of this away? If you don’t want police here, then sell the building and make a little money for some more landscaping and curbs. Do you actually live here, because you don’t seem to know that much about the area or what is actually going on here.
Wise Guy is right about the moonlighting. However, here there would be a shortage of available candidates. Our’s already have a whole host of side jobs and businesses.
The comments about our Neighborhood Watch/crime watch volunteers are right on. One of my neighbors is one, and he is one of the most dedicated people I’ve ever seen and is a retired police investigator with “big city” skill levels. This group of volunteers is an asset we should be praising and cultivating, rather than concentrating on one laid off officer in the department. It appears that at least one police officer is using this website as a sounding board for this layoff, and I hope that people see through this and recognize what some have said–praise what we can be thankful for, which is this group of dedicated volunteers rather than predicting gloom and doom because of one layoff.
By the way. In many of those “big cities” that I’ve lived in, many banks and other private institutions end up hiring private individuals (sometimes off duty police officers) to fullfill their security requirements. Of course, the costs usually gets passed on! But in the short term it is paid by those directly using the industries service.
Just like to say that the short essay by “justthinking” was in my humble opinion, one of the best that I’ve read in a while.
It is clear that the issue of public saftey is on everyone’s minds. It would be a stretch to statistically connect the several ‘apparently’ disasociated crimes in town recently. Yet, it appears that many of us are using the incident reports to editorialize on the cities handling of the financial crisis and its impact on city services.
Based on some of the arguments and discussion, it appears that many of the remedies of the current governance are either misunderstood or resented. Looks like a good time for a general City Wide Town Hall meeting, with open communications (back and forth) between the citizens, the council and the city administation. There never seems to be enough two way communications!
Thank you Just Thinking, Rafael and Let’s Get Real. Even Tigerlilly is right to some degree. We have a partial Community Oriented Policing. By the way, the City Police Web does call it Community Oriented Policing. Part of the program, Block Watch which is called Neighborhood Watch everywhere else is not established effectively here. Before you start foaming at the mouth about the police department not having time, this program has been on paper here for over 5 years.
However, we citizens have been industrious and many neighbors do watch neighbor’s homes. We do it without the police department program.
So Tigerlilly, when you say “this community is not prepared or even willing to take on their own public safety issues.” you are wrong. We are, in spite of the city.
Why you might ask is it not established effectively? That is because they never take the time to complete their part of the application process.
I know, because 2 1/2 years ago I submitted the application to one of our Sgts. after meeting with two Sgts and then Officer High, when he was a new hire, in my home. Still waiting.
I was told to submit the paperwork and they would get back to me. Of course that was after I asked who was my neighborhood police officer. Still waiting.
That was during those quieter and more cash rich Ocean Shores days. Still waiting.
I also have heard that the same problem happened with Crime Watch applicants.
Crime Watch is a great group of individuals that do help keep eyes and ears open in the community. They should be praised by the citizens and more appreciated by the police.
Our neighborhood does watch out for each other. We have joined together separately from the organized program.
That is what neighbors do.
All this fear mongering is foolish.
As to having a duty to protect yourself, yes you do. Yes, video and alarms may not stop the well organized and determined criminal, but then neither will the police.
Ask any NRA member. They arm themselves and use force to protect their family when other more passive measures do not stop the attack.
If I recall, there was an article in the paper about Al holding a burglar at gunpoint in Texas. I think there was a great deal of praise from all of the ones that are posting here.
TouriststarvedOS showed that by mentioning Reagan and Kennedy getting shot.
Even the three people getting into the White House shows that all is not perfect.
The guy getting onto the plane and lighting his underwear bomb shows that not only that police and protective entities miss things, but that citizens were the one that saved the day.
Here too, citizens must act to save the day themselves.
Tigerlilly, what was the second “major crime”?
A person getting hit by a vehicle is not unexpected here at night. We have made the conditions perfect for it.
The bottom line is that we do not have the money because it has been spent.
Situation normal: I didn’t say crime watch would handle the crime. Crime watch does like they always have done–give us the presence. Give the police building and a couple of those suburbans to the county and they can create a north beach substation. I’m sure they would also appreciate a little donation from the city in the form of equipment and support to make it more attractive. You may not realize it, but a lot of the crime watch volunteers are ex-policemen, retired, and if you deputize them and treat them correctly and with more respect, you have an asset that everyone will appreciate. Ever hear about thinking outside the box? That’s the problem with the majority of you, including the city administration–you are so deeply embedded in a rut that you can’t see the surface anymore.
If you also have some details about the secret negotiations between the city and the police union, why not make them public for all to understand rather than keeping them veiled in the cloak of secrecy? You separate the truth from the rumors by revealing facts, not creating innuendos. What do you and the police union have to hide?
Brock, what part of this comment policy do you not understand?:
By publishing a comment here you agree to the below policy.
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I am trying to figure out why I am being moderated once again. This is absurd with the moderation. I am done good luck to all you, I will not waste my computers time with this group anymore. Brock has exited the building and headed back for Texas.
Rafael, that has to be the dumbest thing you have said to date. Have you ever had the opportunity to call for a county officer and see how long you wait? If they are in Monte it can take an HOUR, and that’s if there is one who just happens to not be dealing with someone elses emergency. And you think Crime watch can handle the crime in this town? That is the mmost ridiculous thing you could have said. And the police didn’t “negotiate”? Not true at all. Get your facts straight, you are speaking your opinion and it’s the furthest thing from fact. As far as I’m concerned you have lost credibility with your posts, they are only entertaining to read because you show your ignorance with every tap of the keyboard.
Miller, You say police presence prevents crime. That you can thank the crime watch volunteers for, more than the police department. The presence of crime watch volunteers is twenty times more that our police have ever shown, because they’re too busy sitting down at the jetty with their presence, or hanging around the public library or the police station. If we would pay as much attention to our crime watch volunteers and give them some form of acknowledgment other than the feeling of anonymity that you people project, we would have something. How concerned were the police about our town when they refused to negotiate for concessions on their overpaid salaries? Praise be to the firemen and as far as I’m concerned, if we laid off the whole police force and turned their salary to compensation to attract increased crime watch volunteers and had the county come in for a real emergency, we would be better off. Remember that we are already paying for that county force with our property tax dollars.
This is serious: Again, I have the greatest respect for our law inforcement officers. Yes, they will be there in a few minute. But, if there were a dozen officer on duty at one time, I doubt if any of them could be “there” when the crime is taking place. I would guess they will be there a “few” munutes “after” the crime has taken place. The situation today is not the polices fault nor the mayors fault. IT IS OUR FAULT. Since when are we not responsible for looking out for ourselves? It is time for the blame game to stop!
Let’s Get Real: I think that’s the tough part, there are no police left to tell you how to protect yourself until they get there, it could be several hours. And another thought on community policing, it requires an officer to be present to talk to the community and participate in the community and that luxury is now gone. There are no officers left with time to answer your questions or stop when they are waved down by a person, you will have to call 911 and get in line if you have a question or an issue. Our police will now only be able to respond after the fact, not be actively looking for issues and concerns. Wow, that is actually pretty scary. I used to think this was the greatest place on earth because every time an officer was needed they were there within a few minutes. Those days are gone, and we are all going to pay the price for the city mismanagement that has occurred. I just hope it never comes to the point where the police could have prevented a serious situation because they were too busy responding to other calls and only one officer is on duty. And if you think those days aren’t coming, think again, and do the math, there are NOT enough officers to provide coverage for a city this size. You can look forward to one exhausted, overworked cop on duty and a huge influx of overtime pay to cover the rest. Asked for and bought, by the Citizens Against the Police Department, and of course, our lovely mayor.
I wonder what Mayor Bonkers would be saying about reducing the police force if HE had that gun pointed in HIS face?
So sorry bank employees, how scary that must have been for all of you! Thank you for your bravery! Thoughts are with you in those tough days ahead where you are trying to come to terms with the violation that took place against you. Thoughts are with you!
inyourface: I hold you and your fellow officers in the highest respect and I know you will be there to help as soon as you can. Just tell me what I am to do to protect myself and others until you got here. Please educate us, because in reality we are really the first line of our own defense.
Respecfully
thank You INYOURFACE for all that you are doing and for putting up with the bitching and griping of what I personnally hope is a minority of Ocean Shores Citizens, about two weeks ago I warned when all the blabbing began that “PERPS” can and do read, and that if you said enough times that there were few Officers, more laid off that crime would be going up, an armed robbery with a gun toting offender here in Ocean Shores makes my blood run cold, I personnally enjoy where I bank and until yesterday I felt safe when doing so. If you can”t realise, Rafael that Police Presence Prevents Crime then you must be residing on another planet. I think Mayor Bunkers and our Entire City Council owe an appology to both the Police Dept and the employees of the Credit Union. Just what do you think is going to happen on Fourth of July or Harley Weekend?????
PS – “Inyourface” if you are so proud to be an ocean shores officer, maybe you could “showyourface”
Thank you, JustThinking, there were some good points made. You are correct that their needs to be a “qualified” coordinator to make the efforts between the community and police to be a viable option. You have a very sound arguement in many respects, but as anyone who has been reading the posts on this site for the last year can attest to, we do not have that. We do not have a community that is willing to step forth and work with, in conjuction with, our police department. They are much more comfortable sitting in their homes, in front of their computers, posting negative comments about a job they know nothing about, making accusations and judgements. Here in Ocean Shores, we do not have a community that is willing to lay even their time on the line (unless it is to post nonsensical BS), let alone be appreciative of those that do. This city has contributed to it’s own lawlessness and we will see many more incidents in the near future than we did yesterday. Our city leaders are defunct in not cultivating the force we have, oops, I mean HAD, and encouraging the citizens to become a part of their own safety and protection. And community policing (by volunteers) is not the answer in totality, for what would you have expected would happen yesterday when a man bearing a gun was confronted by a few elderly patrons out for a leisurely drive happened acrossed him? And for future reference, the term “community policing” is not used in terms of the community doing the policing, it’s actual meaning is that the police utilize a positive relationship with the public through community contact. And is often times referred to as “community oriented policing” By fostering a positive relationship with the community, the police and community have a rapport that allows the police to do their job more effectively with community support. I think it’s important that if we are going to post on here that we at least use the correct terms within their context in an effort to not mislead some of the constituents who speak so freely.
I have seen a lot of input on here, but this community is not prepared or even willing to take on their own public safety issues. And they should not have to. That is what law enforcement was designed for. Why require all these businesses to have security measures when they are paying taxes to support a police department that is supposed to be for them. So many complaints and suggestions that the businesses be responsible, but how many businesses here are strugging Sept-May just to keep their doors open so that they can still be here in the summer to help draw those pesky tourists? Now you suggest that they be responsible for their own security. Obviously those that are saying that have never tried to own a small business, it’s just no feasible.
Here is my thought to everyone out there that seems to have all the answers. Police force or no? If you’re going to to do it, do it right, why half-a** it? Crash the whole thing and see how you like to be #12 on the count list for officer response? This is making a mockery of our police department because everyone who has something shady to do now knows they will be able to get away with it because OS has an ever dimishing police department without the money to fund officers, training or the necessary equipment to be able to function fully within that capacity. It’s become a joke, and if you don’t see it, I can tell you who does. The criminals and the opportunists.
Oh, one last thought… two major crimes committed in OS less than 24 hours after the last officer was laid off and served his final day. Coincidence? I think not. I think the word has gotten around that OS is the best place to commit a crime. This is just the beginning, folks! Oh, and has anyone confirmed that there were two officers on duty during both of those crimes? Also, what time was the bank robbery? And what time is shift change? Opportunity folks, opportunity. You’re handing our city to the lawbreakers on a silver platter. May as well raise those speed limits back up, no one there to enforce them, and I bet they spent enough on those new signs to pay for the officer job that was lost.
Let me just make one thing absolutely clear. I am proud to protect the citizens of Ocean Shores. Do I always agree with how the city makes it changes…no. But rest assure, if you need me, I am there.
Brock has read my mind. How does a posting on a bank robbery in Ocean Shores turn into a rant by someone who seems to continually complain about the police? Sounds like someone doesn’t like the po-po, well you don’t have to worry for too much longer, there won’t be much of a police department in Ocean Shores soon. Of course, then we will have to listen to your complaining about the fact that there is limited service.
And no, TouriststarvedOS, please dont lull us to sleep with your latest presentation on the services provided to loopdyloop, Michigan to make a point that is irrelevant to this issue. It reminds me of birddog, but he hasnt been around for a while…
As police departments across the state prepare for cutbacks, some wonder whether higher crime rates will be part of the new deficit. The passage of the federal stimulus package, nor many cutback efforts, has done much to halt bleeding city budgets statewide. And as local governments continue to grapple with how to balance their books and avoid unpopular layoffs, the economic downturn raises familiar predictions about rising crime rates – putting public safety at the forefront of budget negotiations.
Most communities have been able to prevent police layoffs by negotiating salary freezes or finding additional tax revenue, but funding for public safety and crime prevention is a common casualty of the downsizing. Meanwhile, some smaller communities across the state are seeing a rise in property crimes – a condition some analysts expect to intensify as the economy continues its downward spiral. Still, others are experiencing lower crime rates, despite daily layoffs and a bleak outlook.
The only certainty, it seems, is that there is no reliable way to predict how things will shape up as the recession runs its course.
Typically commanding a large portion of overall spending, public safety budgets across the state are vulnerable – except maybe in larger cities. Many cities across the state find themselves unable to avoid police and fire department cuts. Laying off a Police Officer is not as easy as it may seem. This has to do with the hierarchy and patrol schedule structure, which officers staff in shifts. And unlike other sectors, 85 to 90 percent of policing is personnel costs. For departments experiencing budget cuts, doing more with less – that’s going to be the trend. Most police departments are experiencing the same thing statewide.
As the economy continues to plummet, many analysts are reminding us that recessions bring desperation – and that desperation leads people to commit crime. When ever the economy gets tough, there will be an upsurge in crime. Over period of time, you’ll see this – in burglaries, car theft, things like that. Property crimes, which include burglary, larceny, vehicle theft, shoplifting, vandalism and arson, are typically associated with economic downturns. There’s anecdotal evidence to this effect. But while correlations between crime rates and economic conditions may be drawn, the causal relationship has not been proven – and likely can’t be. Crime rate is not a function of one particular thing, and the number of police per resident or population is not really related to the incidence of crime – there are neighborhood, area factors that go into it.
It is still early, and the economy can get worse. Those who predict an upswing in property theft due to the recession might point to the lag between economic change and associated criminal behavior. When we look at criminological theory, there are many theories about why people commit crime; for some it’s a rush, for others it’s a learned behavior, for others strain or stress are a factor. Do some people turn to crime when the economy is bad? Maybe. When someone is desperate, they’ll go to extraordinary measures. So how can we battle this when our city is on the chopping block and facing downsizing in their public safety? Many departments have looked at alternatives when their staffing is down.
In addition to sworn officers, alternative policing programs, including those that focus on prevention and work with communities to report crime, have become an increasingly important part of public safety policy. Most police departments have been doing community policing for about 20 years. They’re becoming more and more prevalent in different cities, both big and small, and are changing the way police do their job. They’ve been found to be more effective on a number of levels. They’re more targeted, more about working with community, and having the community as partners in crime prevention, and that goes a long way. Many departments are doing better policing now than they were 30 years ago, a tight budget might not be the end of the line. And, with substantial support from civil society and philanthropists, communities might be able to sustain new programs while their governments weather the recession.
It takes a community, working in conjunction with its local law enforcement agency, to make Community Policing a viable practice.
It takes a coordinator with vision and dedication to maintain the different programs, provide training and support and generate the enthusiasm needed to perpetuate involvement from the community.
It takes a reasonable salary to attract and retain a qualified coordinator.
So in this time of economic downfall, and in a time when our public safety departments are feeling the short end of the stick, it is time for us as citizens to band together and support our public safety, not tear them down. We can pull through this, but it is going to take a community effort. Everyone has to stand up, put forth effort, and realize that we want a safe community, and our Officers are trying their best to provide that. But they need support.
Brock and Inyourface: As much as I respect all of our law inforcement personal, do they usually prevent crimes, or investigate crimes and work to bring the perps to justice. The only ones who can usually prevent crimes is the citzenry. Maybe it is time to put efforts into how citizens and business can protect themselves. Let quit pointing fingers!
Brock Newman strikes again, or does he? Epic fail.
Rafael – You are right on. So very true.
inyourface: The speed limit change was just something to take everyone’s attention off poor performance. If the police put as much effort into enforcing the law as they did with moving the radar sign around town, we would’ve had something.
TouriststarvedOS, your comparsion is just ridiculous. Do you have to have the last word or are you afraid to admit that you are wrong? I am done wasting my breath on you and your petty and immature arguments that don’t even hold weight to the point that I was making. Besides somebody who commits a crime to accomplish a political agenda is different when compared to the serious and awful crimes that are occurring in our small city.
Also, if you go off the community policing model 95% (conservative estimate) of the crimes are solved with the assistance of the citizens that live in the community. When there are not police officers to respond to these calls that are being made by the citizens then what is the since for these people to make the telephone calls to the police.
Unfortuneatly, it would be nice for our police department be pro-active instead of reacting to what is occurring in the community. When the police officers are being cut and a police department begins to have trouble staffing the street to handle the calls that come in then it makes it difficult for the police department to ever get the opportunity to be pro-active. Maybe it would get to the point where people will not even call in crimes that are occurring becuase they will be afraid of retribution from the suspect.
Our Ocean Shores police department does a fine job, but there is no way they can be every where all of the time to prevent every crime. Our neighboring cities have many police officers and look at their crimes rate. Let’s be realistic. Yes in a very few cases an officer may happen to be in a position to prevent a crime from happening, but this is very rare. Unless there is an officer on every block, they can not protect every citizen or business. In reality, law inforcement most of the time investigates crime and hopefully catch the perpetrator, not prevents the crime.
As good as our police department is, it is up to the residents and businesses of Ocean Shores to take what ever actions necessary protect ourselves and their property.
So, if anyone enters my home uninvited, THEY ARE DEAD!
Oh, if you agree with inyourface or Brock you make sense. Well, I guess Mr. Reagan would not have been shot, Kennedy would not have been shot, and others would not have been shot if there were more police around. As Brock sort of agreed to, you can’t stop all crimes. The fact is that even in the most balkanized environments the criminal has the upper hand of surprise. So, we can hire more officers or let the businesses that have the risk take appropriate action to protect their personnel. Strange, I do not see any barriers between the customer and staff here. Other places do put these in. Some even have man-traps so people can’t enter the premises without removing the hat, coat and glasses. They are buzzed into the building. They even have metal detectors at the entrance to the man-trap. How do I know? I worked in that environment in banking. So, Brock, I have first hand experience. Even with all of that, if someone did represent a threat, the response time was generally too long to effect an arrest.
Brock…you’re the man…finally, somebody other than the normal few on here actually makes sense!!
Rafael,
I would just love to debate you over the speed limit change that occured with Ocean Shores….I bet I win.
I am glad that TouriststarvedOS is such an expert on not only city issues but he seems to be an expert on criminal behavior. Obviously, with the pictures that are posted on this article they had video that was working and captured a picture but has it helped.
It is true that if you have police officers patrolling in marked vehicles then there is a better chance of crimes like these from being detterred. Would it have stopped this crime from occurring? Maybe not but we also can not argue the other way. It is time as citizens of Ocean Shores to stand up to the Mayor and the current city council and tell them enough is enough. Stop your vindictive attitude and stop cutting public safety.
Rafael,
Did it ever dawn on you that I am an Officer with Ocean Shores?
To inmyface: What were residents preaching when they did the ordinance for changing the speed limits? To refresh your memory, they said we need more enforcement not more laws. Nobody in the department or city administration listened then either, and they passed the ordinance anyway. You can have an officer on every corner, but if enforcement is ignored, you have gained nothing. If you want more officers, please sign a blank check and send it to city hall, in care of the mayor, and he will hire all you want. If you’re personally not willing to pay for them, I guess you don’t want them as badly as you profess. It sounds like you’re one of those that wants all these city benefits as long as you don’t have to pay for them. Sorry, but the money tree behind city hall is not mature enough yet to bear fruit.
Like crime doesnt happen in Ocean Shores and the city wants layoff officers?
For those of you who are saying…..
“An expanded police force isn’t necessary,”
or
“The usual 2 on-duty-at-all-times were on duty at the time. The police protection available was not limited at the time of the occurrence. More officers doesn’t equate to to less crime, better efficiency does. As you can tell from the article above (Hit & Run) other agencies help protect us, as necessary.”
Get real. For starters….more Police Officers equate to les crime due to presence…which is a fact that uniformed officers and marked units are a deterrent…
I am so sick and tired of people like you justifiying the reason why we don’t need more officers here. More cops equal…more chances to survive in a fight-for-life situation, less stress, more proactive presence and better service.
But hey, you don’t have to wear a gun on your hip, work holidays, work in all types of inclimante weather, deal with everyone’s issues, put up with the non-stop verbal abuse, paying insurance companies more money for having to repaint your personal car several times a year because people key “You f’in pig,” watch your back constantly when you’re with your family…etc…. could go on and on.
Please, do a month full of ride-a-longs, working day, swing and night shifts….then…start posting your idiotic statements.
Also, don’t reply back saying, “I worked in law enforcement, or anything of the sort…” That will be a lie, and nobody likes liars….
Quit knocking law enforcement until you have actually experienced what it is like to work in such a negative field.
Become proactive, not reactive.
I agree. How many police are necessary to prevent every crime at every business in town? 20? 50? A police officer assigned full time to every business? A bank, like any other business keeping assets, should have video surveillance, audio surveillance, alarms, security personnel, etc. If they choose not to make these investments, they should assume there may be consequences. Most banks just don’t care, because they carry insurance for this kind of action. So don’t feel too much sympathy for the bank.
The times are tough out there, and when unemployment goes up, so does the crime rate. An expanded police force is not the answer here, for this crime was probably pre-planned and when the robber did not see adequate security systems in place he identified his mark. Police cannot be in all places at all times, no matter how many you have. Don’t use this action as a scapegoat to hire more policemen, for its just not realistic.
Didn’t the credit union have an alarm to trip if someone comes in like this?
Joe is correct. What we got from the other departments were the K-9 Units. That is something we don’t have here. The last time a bank robbery occured, the person turned themselves in. Even in cities with more police, bank robbers get away because the general rule to bank employees is to protect life and not property. It is great that no one was hurt. Yes, as the economy get worse, crime does go up. However, it is generally not armed robbery. Normally it is burglary and other lower risk crimes. Those crimes are prevented by citizens securing their property and as I have said in the past getting alarm and video systems installed. Then there is evidence that the police can use to fine the person.
In a time when we the citizens are losing our public safety, bravo to those left, I know you won’t rest until this is solved, you truly do care for this city and there are some of us who wish to simply say thanks.
Sorry, the assist came from this robbery. Thanks to the Hoquiam Police and Sheriff’s departments. Truly a great team effort.
The usual 2 on-duty-at-all-times were on duty at the time. The police protection available was not limited at the time of the occurrence. More officers doesn’t equate to to less crime, better efficiency does. As you can tell from the article above (Hit & Run) other agencies help protect us, as necessary.
For all those negative naysayers out there who insist that this city doesn’t have enough crime to justify a decent sized police force…here is a good example of why we need more officers, not less! The worse the economy gets, the higher crime rates will rise, out of desperation and addiction. I hope that the three patrol positions this department is down in the last year and half will be reinstated for the safety of the citizens of Ocean Shores!
Hey…. lets lay off more police officers so we can have more crime like this in town! What are we thinking? Ya don’t think crooks read the paper too?