pdpraised

PAGE 4

Need a professional locksmith? Click q for truly professional services!

LOVE YOUR TRUCK? Click q for world's finest accessories!

You are visitor since 3-17-99

LOCAL NEWS

Real estate forfeitures coming up

Sunnyside crime rates drop;

top notch PD receives accolades

SUNNYSIDE (Monday 3-8-99)---Sunnyside's population has increased 26% over the past four years, while it's crime rate has decreased 40%, according to statistics presented at last night's city council meeting.

This good news reflects county and state trends. But it's also a reflection of hard work by many persons according to those who spoke at the meeting.

A highly efficient and well run police department received enthusiastic praise from County Prosecutor Jeff Sullivan and the City Council. Councilmen also praised the Accountability Board, Youth Coalition, and other groups concerned about helping young persons become productive for themselves and others.

Police Chief Wallace Anderson noted the general health of the economy contributes to lowering of crime rates. But he said burglaries and auto thefts still continue to be a problem.

To address burglary concerns, Anderson said Janita Wutzke is planning a Neighborhood Watch program for possible implementation in the next few days. And technology, he said, is helping decrease car thefts by putting computer chips into car lock mechanisms.

"For now, I would try to convince folks not to leave their keys in their vehicle," Anderson said.

Anderson spoke with pride about his department's "clearance rates"--solved crimes--which were around 35% compared with a 22% national average.

He explained that "cleared" cases are those resulting in an arrest and conviction. Cleared cases also include those in which the perpetrator has been identified, and his location is known, but international boundaries prevent the PD from making an arrest.

Prosecutor Sullivan, who attended grade school in Sunnyside, had great things to say about Anderson's department.

While noting Sunnyside's decreasing overall crime stats mirror those of the state and county, he applauded Sunnyside PD's high clearance rate.

"Sunnyside is very lucky. It has an excellent police department. I can tell you that, bar none, Sunnyside is one of the best (departments) that we deal with," Sullivan said.

When Sunnyside PD brings the county prosecutor a case, there's followup if there isn't enough evidence to convict an arrested person. "They take their cases seriously," Sullivan said.

Sullivan said that, once a case is investigated, Sunnyside PD gets its witnesses to Yakima for the trial. "They get 'em in the car and bring 'em in," Sullivan said.

By contrast, other county PDs might just drop the cases and tell complaining victims to "tell it to the prosecutor's office."

Sullivan noted that Sunnyside has had some difficult cases in recent years, including murders, but has solved them. Their work has led to convictions of major criminals.

"Drive-bys are not near what they were. I attribute that to the work of Sunnyside PD," Sullivan said.

Sullivan had great things to say about Sunnyside's role in drug law enforcement, and praised Sunnyside's own Det. Sgt. Jim Rivard's work in that area. "They've made good cases," Sullivan said.

Sullivan noted many dealer busts have resulted in seized-automobile forfeitures. The machines are sold, and proceeds are given back to Sunnyside PD for use in yet further busts. Sullivan presented a check to Sunnyside last night which represents recent forfeiture proceeds.

"We want to work with you to get these forfeitures. It's using the bad guys' money for investigations," Sullivan said.

But there's more 'a comin'. Not only will wheels be seized, dealers' houses will be seized as well, a policy mirroring measures long supported by the feds.

"We're getting into forfeiture of real property now," Sullivan said. "We have two people in our office who handle this."

Given the higher values of real property, seizures should result in some serious cash for police operations. And as that cash leads to snowballing arrest counts and yet further forfeitures, the possibilities are there for all to ponder.

In other business the council:

Approved 4-2 parade permits for el Cinco de Mayo set for April 29-May 2, and Sunnyside Sunshine Days Festival, to include Fiestas Patrias, Sept. 16-19. They okayed closing off 6th Street between Franklin Ave. north to Home Security Bank, stopping short of Custer Ave., to set up vendor booths. Don Vlieger and Mike Aguirre dissented.

Noted Sunnyside will be one of 100 U.S. cities included in a year-long schedule of events and promotions designed to help celebrate the company's 100-year anniversary. In response, Mayor Ed Prilucik made a proclamation recognizing Sprint, which has served Valley residents since 1925, serves 10,350 Sunnysiders today, and employs 50 local persons.

Tabled discussion of an ambulance purchase by the Fire Dept.

Held off on approving minutes of a joint meeting of the City Council and Planning Commission Feb. 24

Unanimously approved a resolution defining the city's procedures for acquiring real property and right-of-ways under eminent domain statutes.

Pulled from the agenda consideration of Spink Engineering Co. to provide services for the C.Speck Motors water-sewer project.

Held over until its next meeting contracting with Anderson-Perry and Associates, Walla Walla, for engineering services during 1999.

Real estate forfeitures coming up Sunnyside crime rates drop; top notch PD receives accolades SUNNYSIDE (Monday 3-8-99)---Sunnyside's population has increased 26% over the past four years, while it's crime rate has decreased 40%, according to statistics presented at last night's city council meeting. This good news reflects county and state trends. But it's also a reflection of hard work by many persons according to those who spoke at the meeting. A highly efficient and well run police department received enthusiastic praise from County Prosecutor Jeff Sullivan and the City Council. Councilmen also praised the Accountability Board, Youth Coalition, and other groups concerned about helping young persons become productive for themselves and others. Police Chief Wallace Anderson noted the general health of the economy contributes to lowering of crime rates. But he said burglaries and auto thefts still continue to be a problem. To address burglary concerns, Anderson said Janita Wutzke is planning a Neighborhood Watch program for possible implementation in the next few days. And technology, he said, is helping decrease car thefts by putting computer chips into car lock mechanisms. "For now, I would try to convince folks not to leave their keys in their vehicle," Anderson said. Anderson spoke with pride about his department's "clearance rates"--solved crimes--which were around 35% compared with a 22% national average. He explained that "cleared" cases are those resulting in an arrest and conviction. Cleared cases also include those in which the perpetrator has been identified, and his location is known, but international boundaries prevent the PD from making an arrest. Prosecutor Sullivan, who attended grade school in Sunnyside, had great things to say about Anderson's department. While noting Sunnyside's decreasing overall crime stats mirror those of the state and county, he applauded Sunnyside PD's high clearance rate. "Sunnyside is very lucky. It has an excellent police department. I can tell you that, bar none, Sunnyside is one of the best (departments) that we deal with," Sullivan said. When Sunnyside PD brings the county prosecutor a case, there's followup if there isn't enough evidence to convict an arrested person. "They take their cases seriously," Sullivan said. Sullivan said that, once a case is investigated, Sunnyside PD gets its witnesses to Yakima for the trial. "They get 'em in the car and bring 'em in," Sullivan said. By contrast, other county PDs might just drop the cases and tell complaining victims to "tell it to the prosecutor's office." Sullivan noted that Sunnyside has had some difficult cases in recent years, including murders, but has solved them. Their work has led to convictions of major criminals. "Drive-bys are not near what they were. I attribute that to the work of Sunnyside PD," Sullivan said. Sullivan had great things to say about Sunnyside's role in drug law enforcement, and praised Sunnyside's own Det. Sgt. Jim Rivard's work in that area. "They've made good cases," Sullivan said. Sullivan noted many dealer busts have resulted in seized-automobile forfeitures. The machines are sold, and proceeds are given back to Sunnyside PD for use in yet further busts. Sullivan presented a check to Sunnyside last night which represents recent forfeiture proceeds. "We want to work with you to get these forfeitures. It's using the bad guys' money for investigations," Sullivan said. But there's more 'a comin'. Not only will wheels be seized, dealers' houses will be seized as well, a policy mirroring measures long supported by the feds. "We're getting into forfeiture of real property now," Sullivan said. "We have two people in our office who handle this." Given the higher values of real property, seizures should result in some serious cash for police operations. And as that cash leads to snowballing arrest counts and yet further forfeitures, the possibilities are there for all to ponder. In other business the council: Approved 4-2 parade permits for el Cinco de Mayo set for April 29-May 2, and Sunnyside Sunshine Days Festival, to include Fiestas Patrias, Sept. 16-19. They okayed closing off 6th Street between Franklin Ave. north to Home Security Bank, stopping short of Custer Ave., to set up vendor booths. Don Vlieger and Mike Aguirre dissented. Noted Sunnyside will be one of 100 U.S. cities included in a year-long schedule of events and promotions designed to help celebrate the company's 100-year anniversary. In response, Mayor Ed Prilucik made a proclamation recognizing Sprint, which has served Valley residents since 1925, serves 10,350 Sunnysiders today, and employs 50 local persons. Tabled discussion of an ambulance purchase by the Fire Dept. Held off on approving minutes of a joint meeting of the City Council and Planning Commission Feb. 24 Unanimously approved a resolution defining the city's procedures for acquiring real property and right-of-ways under eminent domain statutes. Pulled from the agenda consideration of Spink Engineering Co. to provide services for the C.Speck Motors water-sewer project. Held over until its next meeting contracting with Anderson-Perry and Associates, Walla Walla, for engineering services during 1999.