By Al Lizakowski

The presentation made by our police chief at city council, intimating that lowering speed limits will decrease speeding defies logic. The only accomplishment will be to possibly create more speeders by the drivers (residents and tourists alike) not familiar with the new limits. 

Do we think even for a minute, the damaged Lexus in the Chief’s  presentation to city council was going the speed limit when it crashed?  

The one and only solution to reduce speeding is enforcement. Wouldn’t this increase in revenue from these offenders also increase city revenue at a time of budget shortfalls?

According to Mike Styner, Chief of the Ocean Shores Police Department, “Total incidents for 2008 were down 12 percent from 2007. Class A Crimes, such as rape, robbery, burglary and assault were down 26 percent in 2008.” (The 26 percent drop in Class A crimes is a slight adjustment from the preliminary figures Styner gave at last month’s retreat, when he said those crimes had dropped by 29 percent.)

Styner noted that burglary was down 59 percent, compared to 2007.

These statistics reflect a continuing decline in crime in Ocean Shores.

From 1995-2002, the OSPD made an average of 402 arrests per year. (Click here for OSPD web site showing full chart of stats.)

Since 2003, the police have averaged 278 arrests – a 30 percent drop, even as the population has grown by more than 20 percent.

 In 2008, there were 271 arrests, in 2007 there were 285.

I was out of town yesterday when Ocean Shores had its first bank robbery. By now, you’ve probably heard the bizarre story: North Beach woman walks into Timberland with a note saying she has a weapon, demanding money. She gets the money, drives away, headed east.

Amateur bank robber drives to Damon Road, calling 911 to turn herself in. (Looking for reward money?) Ocean Shores police arrest her, all within a matter of minutes . . .

Driving back into town just about a half-hour ago, I saw four OSPD vehicles and a Grays Harbor Sheriff’s car pulled up to a house on Ocean Shores Boulevard. Whatever happened there was apparently under control. (There was an arrest made, for domestic violence.)

Two words: Spring fever.

Ocean Shores Police Log

March 6, 2009

Harbor View Loop SE

Tires slashed on vehicle.

Point Brown Ave NW

Juveniles causing problems in plot area next to reporting person’s building.

Ocean Shores Blvd SW

Male walking around in the middle of the road and waving arms around as people pass him.

Grays Harbor Sheriff Log 

March 5

Hoquiam

Ongoing animal problem of owner not feeding his dog.

March 6

Hoquiam

Traffic accident with two vehicles, possible injuries.

Garbage bag found containing clothing and animal bones.

From Detective Chris Iversen

Just a quick note to advise that I just received a report of counterfeit $20.00 bills being passed in Ocean Shores today.  These bills were described as being photocopies, so check the feel and appearance closely of any $20.00 bills you may receive.  For those of you that are merchants, they shouldn’t be able to pass the pen test, so if you’ve got a pen, use it.    

Be careful!

Ocean Shores Police Log

March 5, 2009

Lake View Loop NE

Speeding vehicle.

Ocean Shores Blvd NW

Failure to stop at stop sign.

Galleon Loop NE

Disorderly conduct of reporting persons intoxicated wife throwing things around residence.

Mar. 4, 2009

Moclips

Reporting person found a small dog.  Paws volunteer caring for animal.

Reporting person just had something thrown at her when driving by residence.

According to Stan Pinnick, district superintendent of the North Beach School District, “We do have a staff member on paid administrative leave during an investigation of allegedly physical assualt to a student. We’re working in cooperation with the Sheriff’s Department in doing the investigation.”

The incident took place March 3, at the high school. According to Rick Scott of the Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Department, the incident happened when “a teacher was telling a student to remove a garment from his head. The student didn’t comply.  The teacher physically grabbed the student and removed the headware and took it to the office.”

The school district has a “no hats in the building” policy, according to Pinnick.

Scott said the teacher “characterized what occurred as horseplay. He didn’t feel it was anything aggressive or confrontational or done in anger. He said everyone was laughing and joking, the student was trying to hide behind other students, it was horseplay. (The teacher) grabbed the student and they went to the ground.”

Scott said that, shortly after the incident, the student boarded a bus to Spokane, for the State basketball tournament. His father later heard about the incident, and called to report it as an assault.

The Sheriff’s Department will soon complete its investigation, Scott said. 

“We’re going to submit this to the prosecutor for review. At this  point in time we have no intention making an arrest.”

Pinnick said the district is also doing an internal investigation. He said names of the parties involved are not being made public, at this time.

From the Ocean Shores Police Dept.:

On 03/04/09, Ocean Shores police officers, with assistance from the Grays Harbor County Drug Task Force, searched a residence and made an arrest of a  50 year old female on E. Rain St NE in Ocean Shores for drug related crimes.    

 The arrest came about after a package mailed from Oregon to the female, via the US Postal Service, was intercepted by police. A search warrant was obtained and the package was found to contain nearly two ounces of marijuana.  A controlled delivery of the package was then made with officers hidden nearby.  Once the package was accepted by the female, the arrest was made and the residence searched.  Drug paraphernalia and additional quantities of marijuana were found inside.  Charges against the female are pending review of the case report by the Grays Harbor County Prosecutor’s Office at this time.