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AUGUST 1998

Legal snow storm keeps press at bay

WA DSHS agents, crooks can work in the dark

OLYMPIA (8-2-98)--A veritable snowstorm of state laws today keeps activities of DSHS agents and juvenile thugs equally in the dark.

 

YVN has tried to obtain information about CPS agent activities in the Yakima Valley. But the paper was met by a blitzkrieg of state regulations designed to keep DSHS shenanigans secret.

 

Such secrecy was first allowed in the 70s, but wasn't meant to allow state agents to use their powers to harass families for political reasons.

 

And lawmakers didn't forsee that young criminals, hidden in caves of secrecy by the state, can today jump on unsuspecting victims almost at will and never face public scrutiny until age 18. Anonymity is what crooks require most. And in Washington, the state provides it for agile young thugs who know how the system works.

 

The offending RCWs were outlined by Phil Bayne, Olympia, acting director, DSHS division of program and policy development, children's administration.

 

Bayne cited RCW 74.04.060, which allows the state to keep a general blanket of secrecy over all DSHS activities concerning juveniles, violent thugs as well as mixed-up teens. One size fits all.

 

Bayne indicated RCW 13.50 keeps all juvenile justice and care agency records secret. And RCW 13.50.100(4)(c) keeps secret the names of any person or group who accuses another person of child neglect or abuse.

 

Today, the accused can't face their accusers on a level playing field. CPS agents can act in secret. And violent juvenile thugs--perfect tools for drug dealers--can enjoy anonymity until age 18.

 

Only a new legislature could remove the laws we mention from the books. Doing so would force DSHS agents to act with care, instead of privileged arrogance. It would spotlight the behavior of violent juvenile thugs for the first time in nearly 30 years. And it would allow, for the first time in decades, the accused to look their accusers in the eye.