Spokane7
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February 19, 2012 in City
With no SPD property crimes unit, neighbors helping others
Many victims may have just given up on reporting it
Veronica Evans had her front door kicked in recently in the Chief Garry Park area. After she replaced the door, someone has tried to enter her home twice more.
(Full-size photo)
The thieves are brazen in Veronica Evans’ neighborhood. They kicked in her door three weeks ago and ransacked her home, stealing valuables and leaving her fearful.
They’ve hit other homes near Chief Garry Park, too. At least 17. And they tried to burglarize Evans’ home twice more since she installed a new door.
She and her neighbors aren’t sitting idly by.
“People are just fed up and angry because it continues to happen,” Evans said.
They’re organizing armed neighborhood patrols and encouraging everyone to be vigilant but safe in photographing possible suspects and obtaining identifying information like license plate numbers.
A Spokane police neighborhood resource officer is assigned to investigate the burglaries, but Evans and her neighbors haven’t been able to pass along pictures of footprints and other possible evidence they’ve collected over the weeks: they say no one has returned their calls. They know police are busy, and with the announcement last year that the Spokane Police Department would no longer investigate the vast majority of property crimes, Evans and her neighbors doubt they’ll ever see the burglars arrested unless they can present unquestionable evidence to police.
“We haven’t gotten any feedback, and we’re really frustrated,” Evans said. “Personally, I feel like the cops don’t want the information because they know they can’t investigate it because they’re so shorthanded.”
Spokane police announced Friday that they are seeking any information on what appears to be a burglary trend in the Chief Garry Park neighborhood. Officers have attended neighborhood meetings, and crime analysts began noticing small clusters of burglaries late last week. Suspected repeat offenders with connections to the neighborhood have been arrested on unrelated charges; police hope that may reduce property crime there.
Property crimes decrease
Residents aren’t the only ones frustrated with the Spokane Police Department’s lack of property crimes detectives.
Neighboring investigators say they’ve noticed a change, too.
Spokane Valley Police Department Sgt. John Nowels, who is in charge of the suburban community’s property crimes unit, said he suspects the announcement last October that Spokane police would only be investigating about 5 percent of property crime has contributed to a decrease in reporting by crime victims. That’s made it more difficult for his detectives to return stolen property because they can’t find victims.
Said Nowels, “You can’t tell me that somebody who would normally report it expecting it to be followed up doesn’t hear the city leaders or police chief come out and say, ‘We’re not going to investigate it,’ and decides, why bother? … I as a citizen would be frustrated,” he said.
But even as the property crimes unit was eliminated in Spokane, the number of residential burglaries, car thefts and car prowlings in the city decreased. While overall property crime decreased by just three incidents – 15,039 last year, compared with 15,042 in 2010 – home burglaries were down 4 percent, vehicle prowlings by 3 percent and car theft, for which Spokane was ranked fourth in the nation in 2010, fell 11 percent.
“Considering the reduction of resources that we had, our department did an incredible job of getting property crime down,” Spokane police Maj. Craig Meidl said. “There are still people who are understandably frustrated, just like I would be frustrated if my cases weren’t being worked. We’re doing our best to rebuild the property crime unit as quickly as we can.”
The Spokane City Council is expected to hear a proposal soon to convert a vacant senior police officer position to a detective who would investigate property crimes, Meidl said.
Two other detective positions could eventually be created. But police say it’s doubtful the property crimes unit will be re-created as it was.
“We are going to look at using our detectives more effectively,” Meidl said.
A ‘smorgasbord’ approach
The Spokane Police Department announced it had officially cut its property crimes unit last October. Eight detectives were reassigned. Officers continued working active cases and tried to start new investigations but lacked the manpower to do so. The department announced in September that Spokane residents could expect just 5 percent of reported property crimes to be investigated.
Public outcry was loud and swift.
Mayor David Condon made criticism of the cut a central issue in his campaign last fall.
Former police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick criticized city officials for blaming her for the cuts, saying she’d warned them that she would eliminate the unit if they continued to reduce the department’s budget.
“They were all on board. Now they don’t like it and who do they blame? The police,” Kirkpatrick said in an interview during her final days as police chief in December.
Condon said last week that he’s committed to working with the Police Department to bring back property crime investigators.
“Obviously we need to have investigators,” Condon said. “So we’re looking at that as we build budgets for the coming year.
But he said he’s seen “success stories” arising from the Police Department’s new methods of fighting property crime.
Interim Chief Scott Stephens agreed.
“I know the message was out there that we’ve stopped working property crimes. That was never true,” he said. “The investigative staff, working with the patrol staff, are coming up with innovative ways to address property crimes. We’re going to continue to enhance the efforts that we’re doing right now.”
Meidl described the new tactic as a “smorgasbord” of different efforts.
Six detectives work in the fraud unit and look at identity theft and burglary cases when they can, though three have other assignments. And two teams of patrol officers who work as the Patrol Anti-Crime Team have been responsible for solving several property crimes, including identifying a suspect in a rash of commercial and residential burglaries on the South Hill. The department also has five detectives assigned to the targeted crime unit that focuses on repeat offenders, which often coincides with property crime.
Patrol officers still respond to reports of burglaries and car prowlings for initial contact with victims.
But follow-up investigations, as Evans has seen, are rare.
‘Somebody’s going to get hurt’
Evans called Crime Check to provide photos of fresh footprints she says were left by burglars. She’s yet to hear from a detective. A neighbor whose home was burglarized said the culprit defecated on her couch and used a blanket to clean himself. The police didn’t seize the items as evidence, Evans said.
A veteran of the Air Force, Evans says she’s ready to defend herself and her property. But others worry the lack of police presence will lead to more trouble.
“That’s the whole problem,” said John Nast, Evans’ 69-year-old neighbor. “Somebody’s going to get hurt because everyone’s trying to protect themselves.”
Evans’ husband is stationed with the Army in Yakima. His Valentine’s Day present to her was a bulletproof security door, because, she said, “they can’t kick that in.”
Police encourage residents to keep track of serial numbers and be proactive if they’ve been victimized. A detective, for example, recently arrested two burglary suspects after reviewing a report from November in which the victims located their property at a pawn shop. It took police three months, but the victims’ actions enabled detectives to solve the case, said Officer Jennifer DeRuwe.
A ‘quality-of-life’ violation
Spokane Valley police Chief Rick Van Leuven considers himself fortunate: his department’s budget has remained steady, allowing him to maintain a property crimes unit he believes is the best in the region.
Investigating property crimes is “the biggest potential for us to have the most contact with some of our citizens,” Van Leuven said. “We’ve established that property crimes are a quality-of-life violation to our citizens in our community.”
Spokane Valley employs six property crimes detectives through a contract with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office. The property crimes unit implemented an “intelligence-led policing” model in 2009 that focuses on using computer databases to track property crimes and identify possible trends. Detectives work cases that are believed to involve multiple victims or repeat offenders in hopes of staying efficient, said Nowels, who’s in charge of the unit.
Property crime suspects in Spokane Valley often have victims in Spokane, too. Nowels and his detectives still coordinate with the SPD’s fraud unit and with the patrol team, but he said the level of coordination that existed when Spokane had its own property crimes unit is gone.
What’s more, Valley police often find themselves investigating crimes in Spokane because a theft ring that originates in the Valley may have victims all over the county. Valley detectives won’t overlook a victim just because he or she lives in Spokane, but they won’t initiate investigations based on crimes in Spokane.
One illustration of the ripple effect of Spokane’s property crimes decision is the case of Nathan John Calvert.
Spokane Valley police had good reason to believe a Jeep packed with items they found last fall was stolen – the suspect said so in a video posted on his Facebook page.
But building a case against Calvert wasn’t easy because detectives couldn’t find police reports on the missing items. That isn’t uncommon, but detectives suspect the Spokane Police Department’s announcement it they would no longer investigate property crimes contributed to the lack of documentation regarding obvious thefts, Nowels said.
“I can’t see how it wouldn’t affect it,” Nowels said.
Police eventually returned much of the property after people identified the items through photos posted on the Valley police department’s Facebook page.
Addressing prolific criminals
Nowels said maintaining property crime investigations in Spokane Valley is a priority for city and law enforcement officials.
“Property crimes are such a huge amount of what citizens are victim to,” Nowels said. “Not many people are victims of assault, but there are a lot of people who are victims of property crime.”
But he recognizes the tough position budgets cuts have put police in.
“If I was the chief of police and I had to decide whether to investigate homicides or property crimes, obviously that’s a no-brainer,” he said. “I’m sure the city would love to have more detectives. Wouldn’t we all?”
The Valley’s approach to property crime seems to be working.
Of the 500 cases assigned last year, 91 percent were resolved. That’s compared with 88 percent of 429 cases in 2010.
“We’re being more efficient,” Van Leuven said.
That mirrors what Meidl and Stephens said the SPD is hoping to do: restructure property crimes investigations through patrol and other detectives, and hope the downward trend continues.
“I’d like to at least get to a point where we are addressing the most prolific crime trends and patterns and hitting those people that are really victimizing the community,” Stephens said.
Nowels said the public’s lack of faith in property crimes investigators is disheartening.
“It’s almost kind of sad that people don’t expect to see their stuff again and they’re thrilled to get it back,” Nowels said. “They’re paying for a service. They should expect us to do what we can to get it back.”
Two home-invasion robberies reported 
mikeln on February 19 at 1:42 a.m.
They have plenty of personell, they just use them to enforce areas that produce revenue. I thought it was strange when they came out and told the crooks that spokane was now wide open and ready to be picked.
ChefGus/ John Olsen on February 19 at 5:12 a.m.
Good luck trying to get a job in Arizona Ex Chief K…. we are spreading the word down there on the blogs and with our friends. John
Bill_Jackman on February 19 at 6:38 a.m.
I wonder what the final cost will be for defending Karl Thompson? If that same amount could have been applied to protecting property crime victims. It would appear that the ripple effect of the Otto Zehm case will be felt for years.
Karl Thompson could have been defended by Russell Van Camp or some other City Attorney like Barbara Burns. It would have cost a whole lot less and still had the same outcome.
Mayor Condon, we’re still waiting for you to fire Rocky Treppiedi.
It seems like defending your cronies is more important than protecting the defenseless citizens of Spokane.
Ron_the_Cop on February 19 at 6:40 a.m.
Good article Meghann.
If you read my previous posts I’ve said this cut was ridiculous and bait and switch by our elected. They cut an essential government service because our elected aren’t willing to deal with the other areas of fraud and abuse of public money.
bdr on February 19 at 6:47 a.m.
I wonder if the unions will EVER feel guilty in taking 80 grand per year each and leaving a wake of fear and destruction in peoples homes who only earn 20 grand a year?
slednek509 on February 19 at 7:01 a.m.
Spokane Cops announced to every Meth head and would be burglar/vehicle prowler that it was open season on Spokane residents. That makes as much sense as my tax dollars paying to defend Thompson, you know the Spokane Cop who killed Otto Zhem, the mentally challenged man who wanted a snickers bar. The SPD is a joke…Shonto Pete. Ya…the native American who was shot in the back of the head by the drunk Spokane Cop. We haven’t forgotten. We will never!
brianrbreen on February 19 at 7:27 a.m.
Actually…If I remember correctly it was a homeowner that solved the rash of South Hill residential and commercial burglaries by doing his own follow-up. Traced the use of his wife’s stolen Starbucks card to an Airway Heights Starbucks where they got a surveillance photo of the suspect, and it was only after that that it was assigned to one of the “Fraud Detectives”. The homeowner happened to be an AUSA, I just wonder if it had been John Q whether it ever would have been assigned to a Detective at all.
SIX fraud Detectives…in a Department of 280 or so…wow.
NROs (Patrol Officers) being assigned burglary investigations…I thought the “Patrol Bureau” was supposed to be understaffed.
I wonder what the case loads are in the “Investigations Bureau”.
Then we have the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office doing it right!
@Ron_the_Cop
Here is a “Conspiracy Theory” for you. The Mayor (R), the Sheriff (R), the County Commission (Rs), the Prosecutor (R), and all the City Council Rs are working behind the scenes to screw up the SPD to the point that consolidation of the SPD with the SCSO is the only option.
It is a Republican plot!
Good job Cuniff!
lewis8457 on February 19 at 7:39 a.m.
in one article it was said the police wanted to put more cops on traffic patrol, so they were going to stop responding to property crimes.
I have yet to see a radar car out since that announcement. 3 people of been killed by vehicles.
Where are these extra traffic cops?
280+ cops what the hell are they all doing?
Albert on February 19 at 7:44 a.m.
I understand that a monitored alarm system runs “about” $30. per month, however the equipment is free with a 2 year contract. It seems that the price of a new door, etc. would pay for most of this. We also mounted an external horn and strobe above the garage - in plain view of the street etc.
The “problem” with an armed citizens watch in Spokane is of course that one risks getting shot by the SPD while protecting their neighbors. Not a good thing.
Removing the SPD and replacing it with the Sheriff’s Office is a good thing. Spokane is however experiencing what the rest of the country is going through…drugs, crime, etc. There is no stopping this tidal wave.
westerly on February 19 at 8:01 a.m.
Spokane is turning into a little crime ridden town no police, poor residents left to themselves.Quality of life? Ya, on the south hill where all the trash can’t afford to live and prowl..north side burglaries have been going on for decades, its inbred, generation after generation.
brianrbreen on February 19 at 8:04 a.m.
@Albert
I think the impression that most people have is that crime is on the increase, however in reality there is a fairly significant downward trend.
I find the SR’s site linked below quite helpful, and it is easier than most others to use. The data is taken directly from UCRs submitted by the various LE Agencies.
When you look at the trends it makes one wonder. Especially with respect to staffing levels.
http://data.spokesman.com/annual-crime-reports/?crimetype=total&agency=spokane-police-department
liveinfearoftheSPD on February 19 at 8:11 a.m.
@Brian
How accurate is all that data? It has been manipulated in the past, and continues to be manipulated to show results that are favorable. (That is true in all forms of government) Also many people are no longer wasting their time even reporting crimes as they know nothing will be done. I find it hard to believe any stats or data provided.
DickAdams on February 19 at 8:16 a.m.
I`ve got an idea to add 1 more cop to be put on the beat. Seems to me, Officer Jennifer DeRuwe, one of several spokespersons for the city of Spokane, should be a cop rather than running all over the place for a photo-op and do what she is paid to do, i. e. wear the uniform the taxpayers paid for instead of dressing up like a person getting ready to go out on Saturday night? DeRuwe should work as a cop and actually do police stuff. In my previous life, the corporation I worked for had 1 (only) spokesperson to handle what was happening and report to the public expected information they needed to know about while other management employees did what they were paid to do, work for the corporation and do what the corp paid them to do. Why is it the Lilac City feels it needs more than one person to inform the public, re info they deserve to be made aware of? Oh, and the number of employees at the time one person was appointed (years and years ago) as a spokesperson, we had twice as many employees as the city. Obviously, Condon plans on keeping city employees on the payroll who are not contributing to basic services when there are departments in city hall that could be eliminated.
Shelala on February 19 at 8:36 a.m.
IMO, this is a age old ploy that is tried by every bureaucrat to try to get more funding. Simply put, reduce services until it begins to hurt, blame it all on a lack of funds and wait for more money to roll in. When in reality, they should be exploring ways to better allocate their existing funds successfully. In recent times, we all have had to do more with what we have. Time to reduce waste, tighten the belt and spend cautiously, instead of answering problems by throwing more money at it. I think the SPD needs to pull officers off of task forces to concentrate efforts on basic needs -like property crime. They need to take a close look at what duties and personnel are simply expensive dead weight and eliminate them.I think when they realize that the very last thing the public will buy off on is more SPD funding, they will finally realize they need to identify ways to meet public expectations and follow through. The real shame in it all this is that citizens suffer by these politically based games and we can expect to hear more press about problems by a “lack of funding”, until they get what they want. It’s a sorry game of chicken played at taxpayer expense.
brianrbreen on February 19 at 9:16 a.m.
@Live
The data is taken directly from the data, which is required to be submitted by the LE Agencies to the FBI via the Uniform Crime Reporting standards.
Sure data can be manipulated but in this case it would have to done at the source (Local LE Agencies) and it is occasionally audited by the Feds.
I understand your point regarding manipulating the data downward to show you are doing a great job, but in most cases with LE Administrators they like to see the UCR data remain fairly static so they can justify their staffing levels. When there is a fairly significant downward trend in the UCRs the pols, at least the ones that know something, start asking questions like “Okay Chief why do you need so many men/women”?
The data that really has to be watched for manipulation is the CFS (Calls for Service) data, and most of the time you will hear the “Oh may gosh, we had a tremendous increase in CFS, and we just can’t handle all of them”. Sometimes that is just BS and they need to be audited and proper decisions made regarding the total allocation of manpower and resources.
As far as staffing levels in the “Investigative Bureau” (where you are going to allocate Detectives) is concerned, in order to audit that you have to have good Caseload and Case Clearance data to be able to justify the staffing levels in the various units and manage accountability. The Investigative Bureau is the most difficult Bureau in a department to maintain accountability because the nature of the Detectives job requires a certain amount of freedom to work cases.
In a lot of cases, and in the case of the SPD, the Administrators and those providing input to the Mayor are sometimes primarily “Patrol Oriented” because their Investigative background is very limited. On the other hand the SO seems to have the Patrol/Investigative interaction down pretty good, I don’t know that I would necessarily attribute that to Ozzie. I’d be more inclined to believe that his administrative staff has a better grasp and he likely listens.
Based on what I see of the staffing in the SPD Investigative Bureau there is no reason I can see not to have a functioning Property Crimes Unit, which includes at least 3-4 Burglary Detectives all functioning similar to the County and utilizing Crime Analysis Data. But I must admit I do not have the Caseload Data, which is not apparently available to the public so I could be wrong. A decrease in UCRs to me means a decrease in the investigative caseload…but again I don’t know the data.
valleyman on February 19 at 10:13 a.m.
Good work Valley PD/Sheriff’s Office.
Dr_Dachshund on February 19 at 10:24 a.m.
Simple solution for folks - get a big Dog! Or failing that, get a gun! If thieves and meth-heads are going to be brazen enough to come kicking in houses, it’s fair to at least make their “jobs” a little bit more dangerous.
liveinfearoftheSPD on February 19 at 10:38 a.m.
@Brian
Thanks for your info. In some ways I understand. But I will always look at statistics with a great deal of skepticism.
ericdx on February 19 at 11:23 a.m.
Brianbreen,
Only one problem with your conspiracy theory, The Mayor (D) and the city Council (D) are the ones that cut the budget. How does the current mayor (R) and the current city council (R) get blame for what the previous Mayor (D) and City Council (D) get blamed. They are (in theory) supposed to fix this. Not saying they will, but at least put the blame where it belongs. This was Verner and Shogan’s show that cut the police budget, and ran up the bills backing Klubber Karl, not Condon and Co.
But Condon needs to fire Rocky and others, or he will become as at fault as the Verner and Shogan show was.
You don’t like (R), we get it, but you can’t blame the (R) for what was done when the (D) was in control.
SpokaneIsFun on February 19 at 11:31 a.m.
Something is wrong with Spokane. This article reaps of stink. Citizens collecting their own evidence? Citizens arming themselves with firearms to patrol? Spokane Police refusing to investigative property crimes or collect evidence? Time for a major overhaul of this police department. New leadership, new accountability, realignment of department staff. Mayor, are you listening??
brianrbreen on February 19 at 11:57 a.m.
@Live
Just kind of an example;
According to the SPD’s AIM data the “Targeted Crimes and Fraud Unit” as of 1/1/ 2011 “Received and Screened” 56 cases. The previous year it was 57. Of those 56 cases 47 were assigned (42 previous year). Of the 47 assigned 12 were resolved (15 previous year).
I believe that works out to an average of a little over 4 cases per month, divided among 12 Detectives, you figure that out. Or 56 cases over 11 months divided among 12 Detectives.
I won’t get into the “Settle Status”, which gets a little more complex.
To me looking at that, I’m asking myself does that very, very low caseload justify 2 Sgts., 12 Detectives, and one clerical. If the caseload is that low I understand why there is only one clerical assignment, not a lot of reports and data entry to do.
I am only going from the SPD’s own data linked below and a document I received from the SPD showing the staffing in those two units as of 11/11/2011
http://www.spokanepolice.org/documents/01%202011%20AIM%20Report.pdf
http://spokanepolice.org/leftnav/AIM/default.aspx
trustbutverify on February 19 at 12:03 p.m.
I never thought in my lifetime that the police would not investigate property thefts and crimes. I mean what are the police there for then?
I suppose since there is no money to make off of the crooks the horrible mayors and civic leaders Spokane has had want to turn law enforcement into some type of profit making industry that taxes big money from good citizens or that that fleeces money from good people who make simple small mistakes (parking & traffic). Rather than clean it and the police guild up and run everything like a successful business. Just think of the millions of wasted tax dollars spent on the stupid lawsuits they all cause and of the ridiculous amounts spent defending rogue cops like Thompson. This money could have been spent on defending the citizens from burglars not on attorney fees for bad cops who obviously work the system to get free legal defense or poor police chief actions that cause legitimate problems for good cops. Where is the leadership in Spokane?
If the crooks know that the police will not investigate anything then they obviously are going to be more brazen. It will become the wild west again with good people being forced to defend themselves from crooks breaking into their properties and homes. It is just a matter of time until some good citizen is hurt or killed by burglars. Let this weigh heavily upon all of their consciences!
SMARTGUY on February 19 at 12:42 p.m.
Shoot anyone in your neighborhood you do not recognize, it works for the police, let God sort them out. Our new slogan, Spokane, Near Nature, Nearly the Wild Wild West.
SMARTGUY on February 19 at 12:45 p.m.
If the police do not have time to arrest anyone, could they at least do their usual job, and shoot them.
brianrbreen on February 19 at 12:49 p.m.
“The investigative staff, working with the patrol staff, are coming up with innovative ways to address property crimes”
“Meidl described the new tactic as a “smorgasbord” of different efforts.”
I have my own theory on what “innovative” means in the context of this story.
But I’m not sure what an innovative “smorgasbord” is. I hope it’s not the Old Country Buffet model…I guess that didn’t work.
http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/news/2012/01/18/buffets-file-bankruptcy-again.html
liveinfearoftheSPD on February 19 at 12:49 p.m.
So in essence that is 3 detectives, working together, solving 1 crime a month.
All I can say is WOW!
What is a reasonable amount of time to solve an average crime?
How many man hours on average would you think is reasonable per crime? (I understand some crimes can be harder to solve, but on average)
That just seems to be a lot of wasted man hours per crime as it is now.
Just shows they really don’t care about property crimes. Seems more money is made for them in tickets (Not cheap for any infraction) and the “War on Drugs.”
liveinfearoftheSPD on February 19 at 1:05 p.m.
The “smorgasbord” statement sounds to me like they may be saying:
“We really have no ideas on how to address the problems, so do what ever works for ya!”
brianrbreen on February 19 at 1:39 p.m.
@Live
Seems a bit low doesn’t it.
If you were going to do a performance audit, you would take like sized departments and compare policing structures, case management systems, and the caseload and disposition data between departments. You might find that the average caseload for a property crimes or burglary detective in other departments is around 25-30 cases per month, sometimes less depending on their case management structure.
The is a difference between types of cases that also has to be evaluated, Major Crimes cases require more time and case management, complex fraud cases require more time and case management, SIU cases require more time and management depending on the SIU’s “Investigative Focus”. The same is true for Sex Crimes Units and Crimes Against Persons Units. Things like that have to be taken into account as far as staffing levels, caseload and dispositions analysis.
I’m not sure how the County handles their case management data, but an interesting comparison might be their caseload and dispositions with that of the City.
You are right stats can easily be manipulated. For example if Patrol Bureau makes a felony drug arrest, that arrest is counted in their stats, the case is sent to the investigative division for follow-up and submission to the prosecutor where it is counted in their stats even though it may be scored as a level I or 2 follow-up, meaning the investigative output was limited, and only required the detective to prepare a PC affidavit make a couple of calls and submit it to the prosecutor.
I might be missing it but I can’t find any hard data on the Patrol Anti-Crime Team, it seems to be more anecdotal in AIM than hard data. So I’m not sure how one can evaluate success, or lack there of.
What happens a lot of times is the Administrator puts together a great power point presentation that includes all these wonder stats and the pols, not having a clue, say by gosh you are right you need 100 more staff.
SMARTGUY on February 19 at 1:42 p.m.
Can’t find a job, just steal what you need, a five percent chance of being arrested, better odds then the casino by far.
D Statler on February 19 at 1:42 p.m.
Leaders at SPD need only shift resources back to property crimes from the drug task force. They can’t seem to keep them walking a straight line anyway. It may actually help clean up the Police force and the streets.
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/oct/22/police-divvy-drugs-to-catch-dealers/
I am sure that there are plenty of detectives that could be doing more to help the situation also. Making them work during high crime hours when possible might help.
Re-assessing everyone from top to bottom will undoubtedly free up a couple more street cops for patroling. More cops patroling may eliminate some of the need for property crimes investigations. So simple a janitor could do it :^)
Otto_Pilot on February 19 at 2:04 p.m.
An OZR* on the third post!
Good work, guys!
*Obligatory Zehm Reference
PROFINTOX on February 19 at 2:53 p.m.
@ericdx — regarding “You don’t like (R), we get it, but you can’t blame the (R) for what was done when the (D) was in control”.
Sure people can (sarcasm)! A fair amount that happens regarding Obama doesn’t it? The (Rs) always blame the (Ds) and the (Ds) always blame the (Rs) for things that were done when their own party was in control and when the other party is now in control. It’s called politics as usual and one of the reasons I am neither an (R) or a (D).
brianrbreen on February 19 at 3:16 p.m.
@ericdx
You are wrong, I have no preference regarding R or D. I am just a C (curmudgeon), with malcontent leanings.
I was kidding regarding the “Conspiracy Theory”
I was initially opposed to consolidation, but I’m starting to wonder if I was wrong. I am however still holding out for a little while.
I guess my point is when the word “layoffs” shows up as the result of budget cuts from SPD union negotiations, I don’t think I’m going to be all that overly concerned about it unless someone can do a hell of a lot better job justifying staffing levels.
Ron_the_Cop on February 19 at 4:28 p.m.
@Brian,
You’re very correct stats out of the detective bureau are a moving target akin to pushing Jello around. One bean doesn’t necessary equal another bean. Some cases are just going to go nowhere until a suspect is arrested in another case. So you have one solid bean and a shell of a bean.
I have no problem in screening the arrest reports and those with meaningful suspect info. If it’s someone that is a problem child, then he/she gets targeted and all resources are brought to bare on this suspect. It’s the 8% to 10% repeat offenders that are doing many of these burgs. So it makes sense to triage and work cases to get them off the street.
Another measure of accountability of the arrests submitted for filings, are most getting filed or are many coming back and dumped because the investigative report didn’t pass muster.
And of course a very key issue is what level priority our County Prosecutor’s Office places on residential burglaries. I’m still waiting for arrest warrants to come out in a $75K jewelry cat burglary that occurred in the SO jurisdiction that was being bounced back and forth from the burg detective to the DPA. The last I heard it was back to the DPA.
This boils down to objective vs. subjective - quantitative vs. qualitative analysis. The beans can be manipulated at many levels. What counts is the serial burglars are hit hard, slammed and removed from the street. The message needs to be sent residential burglaries are a serious offense to the community that will not be tolerated. Of course these folks with shift to other lesser thefts/ID thefts and frauds but at least it lessens the danger to the citizen of encountering a suspect in their residence that can turn violent.
My neighbor just last week walked into an in progress burglary during the daytime. I have to say the patrol folks responded quickly and did a good job at the scene assessing what forensic evidence to collect.
Bottom line is KNOW YOUR neighbors watch out for each other and CALL when a suspicious subject is in the neighborhood door knocking and or door bell ringing. If they’re legit then no harm no foul. If you call before they hit a house then if it becomes a burg in progress the cops are already enroute and may be able to capture them at the scene. These are the ones that got special treatment from me as for other burgs they may be responsible for, other enhancements, alleged strike offenses if appropriate et al.
If you don’t make an effort to keep the crooks at bay, they will take over increasing the danger for violent encounters.
As I said along time ago this was a bait and switch by City elected/appointed to conceal abuse/fraud of public funds in other areas of the City they don’t want discovered. They will cry pauper and then try to run a special levy to recreate the property crimes unit and then divert the money away.
generallyspeaking on February 19 at 7:12 p.m.
Wondering how Lewis’s “volunteering” is going…….
spnelson on February 19 at 7:25 p.m.
One of the earlier blogger asked “where the hell are the 280 cops” in Spokane. I’ll tell you- downtown dealing with what unfortunately Spokane is becoming. This stabbing last night/ this am was just another day at work for a lot of these people- Spokane is home to approximately 20 “rehabilitation” facilities- drug addicts, violent offenders, etc, etc. Spokane is becoming a war zone, and these cops have to deal with it. I’m not going to say that I particularly like cops, cause I don’t. Murdering a retarded man and having the mayor cover it up was inexcusable- however- these cops are dealing with a “slice of life” that the majority of people wouldn’t even begin to believe. I can’t blame the cops for being jaded and not investigating home crimes when they are chasing meth addicts. One should defend one’s own property and their neighbors. If everyone started looking out for their own property and that of their neighbors (instead of relying on the “government” to do it- which seems to be the trend) crime would reduce significantly. Example: I live in a neighborhood by Fairchild. Probably about 50 percent of my neighbors (including myself) are armed- anyone stupid enough to try and commit a crime here will most likely be HAPPY that the cops are called- because the cops aren’t going to do to them what we will. I just wonder when some kid breaking out car windows is going to wind up dead.
trustbutverify on February 19 at 7:53 p.m.
And don’t believe any of the figures. I have had 3 car breakins and other thefts at my business in the past 7 months. I only called in one of them and of course the police did nothing. I even had a video of the truck they drove off in but they would not come out.
Why turn in the report if the police do nothing and possibly make your insurance higher. I am sure that many others don’t even bother calling in either.
Spocompton = gangsters paradise
silverlake89 on February 19 at 8:52 p.m.
I don’t understand how burglary and/or robbery are categorized as property crimes. When I think of property crimes I think of broken windows, graffiti, stolen tools, bikes, etc. really they can’t come up with a better system and yet they still don’t think they need outside help? Good grief; god save us from the arrogant and the ignorant.
Ron_the_Cop on February 19 at 8:57 p.m.
Silverlake89
Robbery - the taken of property from a and or under the control of person by threat of force or fear with a weapon - gun/knife. A crime against person.
Burglary - entry into a structure, bldg, residence with the intent of committing a felony (murder, rape, assault et al) and or theft. A crime against property.
In CA a residential burglary is considered a serious felony and will count as a strike offense as an enhancement in any subsequent felony offense.
brianrbreen on February 19 at 9:32 p.m.
“Spocompton = gangsters paradise”
Well maybe so…but; Robbery, Aggravated Assault, Murder, Rape, are all down quite a bit from the late 90s
Arson, Burglary, Larceny all down quite a bit from the late 90s
The only thing that has gone up is Motor Vehicle Theft.
Too many Honda owners in Spokane I guess.
silverlake89 on February 19 at 10:13 p.m.
@Ron, I wasn’t so much asking the difference between robbery and burglary. I’m trying to understand why burglary (a major crime) is comparible (by SPD standards) to other property crimes such as petty theft of property or damage to property.
In Washington we also use burglary in our three strikes so it would make sense that a string of burglaries would fall under major crimes which I believe we still have detectives working.
Not investigating burglaries like the ones reported in this story is like saying you’re not going to investigate meth labs because you closed the gang task force.
brianrbreen on February 20 at 9:38 a.m.
@silverlake89
Residential Burglary is a level IV offense as far as the Sentencing Guidelines are concerned.
Other level IV offenses include things like:
Arson 2nd Degree
Assault 2nd Degree
Assault 3rd Degree (of a Peace Officer with a Projectile or Stun Gun)
Escape 1st Degree
Hit and Run (Injury)
Identity Theft 1st Degree
Indecent Exposure to a Person Under Age Fourteen
Malicious Harassment
Possession of Depictions of a Minor Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct 2nd Degree
Robbery 2nd Degree
Theft of Livestock 1st Degree (Cattle Rustling…try getting away with not investigating those cases in some Counties)
Threats to Bomb
Trafficking in Stolen Property 1st Degree
Vehicle Assault (DUI)
Viewing of Depictions of a Minor Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct 1st Degree
Just to name a few.
Burglary 1st Degree (Burglary while armed or committing an assault during a Burglary) is one of the crimes considered a “Most Serious Offense” and is a counter for the “Persistent Offender” Statue.
silverlake89 on February 20 at 12:10 p.m.
What you and Ron are saying makes perfect sense but both comments lead me back to the question….
Why is SPD using the “We don’t have a property crime unit” to avoid investigating major crimes?
All this does is solidify (in my mind) that they are incompetent and semi-worthless. If that’s the message they are going for then mission accomplished but don’t expect more tax money from me.
Does no one in that entire police force have to take management training?
Ron_the_Cop on February 20 at 1:07 p.m.
Silverlake89,
DING! You hit the nail on the head.
I wouldn’t leave out either the City leaders and politicians that allowed this to occur. This was a bait and switch to cover political fraud and abuse in other areas of the City. This action was the fallout in CYA’g instead of addressing the real problems within City government and the legacy wealth holders in this City.
These folks were wiling to cut an essential service that is fundamental reason why government exists in the first place to cover their tails. The Downtown Electric Trolley needs to be symbolically buried once and for all as a pipe dream that will not bring the economic development to this community that it is being touted for.
I tried to bring the issue of priorities in governmental funding during the discussion on the approval of the STA Downtown Trolley plan but was gaveled out of order by King Joe Shogun when I ventured into the Creach OIS. I was trying to make the analogy that there would be more incidents like Creach with the disbanding of the SPD crimes against property unit. The tanking of this unit wasn’t well known when I publicly brought this up during my testimony. Meghann’s article just confirms my belief and prediction.
Until Mayor Condon has the balls to fire City CFO Gavin Cooley more of these bait and switches will occur. The parking meter razzle dazzle is just one of many that need to be watched like a hawk. I’m still waiting on the Mayor to keep his promise re cleaning house at the City Attorney’s Office.
They will get no more money from me either.
Shelala on February 20 at 1:29 p.m.
Otto…Otto…Otto…Otto…Otto..Otto…Otto…Otto…Otto…Otto…Otto…Otto…Otto…Otto…Otto..Otto…Otto…Otto…Otto…Otto…..Just a message to our city’s leaders than we have not forgot and will not “move on” until you realistically address the issues that lead to this incident and take corrective measures. Consider this a public service announcement in blog form.
smittysturn on February 20 at 1:42 p.m.
Ritalin….Ritalin….Ritalin….Ritalin……Ritalin……Ritalin…..
Shelala, go back to your doctor and have him adjust your meds. Tell him we are growing tired of your rants. You sound like a homeless person wandering around the park mumbling to herself. At least try to stay on subject.
generallyspeaking on February 20 at 1:59 p.m.
Smittysturn…..OMG you are funny!!! AND Spot on….but think she needs a bit more then medication….LOL!!!
generallyspeaking on February 20 at 2:01 p.m.
Ron…To commit a burglary in WA state you don’t have to enter with intent to commit a felony….you have to enter with intent to commit a crime….misd OR felony….Just a fyi…
Ron_the_Cop on February 20 at 2:17 p.m.
Thx GS. A little nuance here in WA and other states.
GS and Smitty’s turn. I would lay off Shelala. In the end she’s right. Until the folks in position of authority realize this and take positive/corrective action, there will be more Ottos, Creaches, and Dodds.
Shelala on February 20 at 2:24 p.m.
@Smitty and GS
Somehow I knew it would draw you out of your holes.
@to all others
My point is that the article and other issues regarding local law enforcement need to be addressed and not become a political football. We can discuss staffing levels, leadership and other spending ploys, but IMO it is important to not allow leaders to move on to other problems and issues and bury unresolved issues hoping the public has a short memory. The failure to investigate property crimes in just one part of the whole dysfunctional organization. I empathize with these victims of burglaries and understand their frustration over a lack of functional police force, but the reassignment of personnel to work these crimes is just a quick fix, if even a fix at all.
brianrbreen on February 20 at 2:40 p.m.
@Shelala
“ IMO it is important to not allow leaders to move on to other problems and issues and bury unresolved issues hoping the public has a short memory”
Although I am not a student of politics I was always of the impression that was the way the game was played regardless of the party affiliation, so wouldn’t not allowing that be cheating?
generallyspeaking on February 20 at 2:44 p.m.
SURE ya did Shelala….I KNOW it’s hard…just stay on topic
brianrbreen on February 20 at 2:57 p.m.
Gee it seems to me that most of the bloggers here are opposed to eliminating the SPD Property Unit. Sounds like even the SO Property Unit. I wonder if there are any proponents to its elimination.
Shelala on February 20 at 3:01 p.m.
@Brian
Truer words were never said. LOL However, in this game, the stakes are just too high to ignore or to allow the memory to fade without action. Kinda like a DV issue when everyone asks “why didn’t someone do something earlier”. Now we have citizens arming themselves and willing to defend their hard earned property because of the games of the politicians and the whine of SPD claiming lack of funding. Combine that with a force who have repeatedly demonstrated their willingness and assumed unquestionable right to shoot or use lethal force at the mere suggestion of a weapon being brandished regardless of circumstances and you have another Creech or Zehm or Dodd incident. They still argue that a soda bottle or a rock could be a weapon and whether Creech had overstepped his right to defend his property, but dead is dead.
Shelala on February 20 at 3:12 p.m.
#Brian
I don’t think anyone wants to eliminate any department, but a lot would like to replace the members of a lot of departments. IMO when leaders speak of eliminating departments, they are actually saying they want more money - or else. Nothing innovative there.
brianrbreen on February 20 at 3:14 p.m.
@Shelala
Staying on topic.
I’ve kind of wondered for the last few years about the elements of Burglary 1st Degree.
(1) A person is guilty of burglary in the first degree if, with intent to commit a crime against a person or property therein, he or she enters or remains unlawfully in a building and if, in entering or while in the building or in immediate flight therefrom, the actor or another participant in the crime (a) is armed with a deadly weapon, or (b) assaults any person.
(2) Burglary in the first degree is a class A felony.
(6) “Deadly weapon” means any explosive or loaded or unloaded firearm, and shall include any other weapon, device, instrument, article, or substance, including a “vehicle” as defined in this section, which, under the circumstances in which it is used, attempted to be used, or threatened to be used, is readily capable of causing death or substantial bodily harm;
I gotta believe the smart Burglars aren’t taking any soda with them, or grabbing any on the way out.
generallyspeaking on February 20 at 3:30 p.m.
Shelala…one thing yous said I agree with…”Dead is Dead”….so there is a REAL simple solution…IF ALL three men you mentioned would have followed directions….They would still be alive if they had LISTENED to what the cop told them….You can argue the fact or the cops actions AFTER the fact…and maybe even be right…..but can’t really do that if you are dead….after all “dead is dead”….even if the person was right in their thoughts on how they were being treated…..None of them HAD to die….and I don’t believe any of the cops involved WANTED them dead….
generallyspeaking on February 20 at 3:33 p.m.
Another simple solution….If you want the police to keep ALL their services and serve us in the way we want them to…..VOTE to increase taxes so they can do that…..After all we get what we pay for…..nothing is FREE…
Shelala on February 20 at 3:37 p.m.
@Brian
Staying on topic here
Is that to mean that if a guy breaks into my garage and is carrying a 2 liter Mountain Dew, it is a Class A Felony?
brianrbreen on February 20 at 3:43 p.m.
I’m not sure about the “Mountain Dew” thing. It may be limited to a specific brand…don’t know if there is any case law on that. Or videos using Mountain Dew to break boards.
Shelala on February 20 at 3:51 p.m.
Let’s form a committee from all the local beverage experts to look into that behind closed doors.I don’t want to have to hire an expert witness to detail that Pepsi vs Mountain Dew issue if a burglar goes to trial, even if that expert could be paid from donations.
generallyspeaking on February 20 at 3:58 p.m.
Heres an idea….WHY don’t Shelala or Brian VOLUNTEER to go into a room with a guy holding a two liter pop bottle filled with any beverage of their choice….let the guy with the pop bottle go at them and do whatever he chooses with it……See what kind of damage is done to them…..No? Didn’t think so….
brianrbreen on February 20 at 4:06 p.m.
@Shelala
You still have a baton? I’ve only got one of those old turned mahogany nightsticks. I think it still works though; I never used it just stayed in my locker. I’ve been saving it for my son. I would hate to break it; it is not one of those spiffy long hard wood ones like Ron used to have.
generallyspeaking on February 20 at 4:18 p.m.
MANKATO — Police officers responding to a disturbance at a hospital emergency room arrested a woman because she allegedly hit one of the officers on the head with a plastic pop bottle.
Jennifer Michelle Johnston, 23, of Willmar was a patient at the Mayo Clinic Health System’s Emergency Room when employees there called police to report she was being disruptive, a Mankato Department of Public Safety report said. She allegedly continued to yell, scream and act belligerently after the officers arrived.
When the officers attempted to take control of Johnston, she hit one of them on the head with a plastic Mountain Dew bottle, the report said. She was eventually arrested and the officers are requesting a felony charge of fourth-degree assault.
generallyspeaking on February 20 at 4:23 p.m.
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla - Charlotte County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit detectives have arrested 44-year-old Norman Garrison of Englewood East and charged him with Sexual Assault Causing Serious Injury.
The Sheriff’s Office received a call Dec. 28 that Garrison and a friend, the 38-year-old female victim, had both been drinking in her apartment in the presence of her teenage children. Detectives said one of the teens saw Garrison place two Ativan pills in their mother’s vodka bottle, then later broke down the woman’s door after she locked herself in the bedroom when Garrison wanted to have sex with her.
The teens left the apartment but returned a short time later and found considerable blood in the home and called 911; the woman was then transported to Englewood Community Hospital, then later to Fawcett Memorial Hospital for emergency surgery for vaginal trauma. Detectives said the trauma was caused by a pop bottle.
The victim told detectives she could not recall the day’s events surrounding her injuries, and Garrison said he could not remember details about anything.
Based on the evidence and statements from witnesses, Garrison was arrested for Sexual Battery which caused serious bodily injury while the victim was mentally incapacitated to consent to such sex acts. He remains in the Charlotte County Jail on $500,000 bond.
Shelala on February 20 at 4:29 p.m.
@Brian
I have one. I use it to dig rows in my garden and hold up the end of my cold frame. Handy little tool that baton. I am building a locked cabinet for my Mountain Dew, though. Can’t imagine what would happen if those two liters got into the wrong hands.
generallyspeaking on February 20 at 4:32 p.m.
Authorities in Washington now say a demonstrator at an Occupy DC encampment threw a liquid-filled soda bottle, not a brick, hitting a U.S. Park Police officer after police began removing tents over the weekend.
Court documents available Monday say the demonstrator, Jeremiah Desausa, threw the Coke bottle Saturday. Authorities said he resisted arrest and was subdued with a Taser.
The Park Police officer, a lieutenant, was flown to a hospital where he was treated for his injuries and later released, though the police statement says he is still enduring blunt force trauma and “seriously compromised” vision in his eye.
generallyspeaking on February 20 at 4:33 p.m.
Note…BLUNT FORCE TRAUMA AND SERIOUSLY COMPROMISED vision in his eyes…..YA…there just pop bottles…..
Shelala on February 20 at 4:34 p.m.
ale. bottsod
Why would I want to volunteer to be boinked on the head with a soda bottle? Not a fan of wet willies either.
PROFINTOX on February 20 at 4:42 p.m.
As there was a question earlier on why SPD uses the “We don’t have a property crime unit” to avoid investigating major crimes — I was wondering if anyone knows, what comprises the 5% of property crimes (or whatever small % it is) SPD says they still respond to/investigate? My first thought was perhaps they are things like 1st degree Burglary, but then, that is not a property crime but rather one of the “crimes against persons” in terms of RCW classification so I am thinking that type of crime might be investigated by the major crimes unit instead? Or perhaps this “5%” involves property crimes in progress? Anyway, again, does anyone know what incidents comprise the “5%” is that they indicate will be responded to/investigated?
brianrbreen on February 20 at 4:49 p.m.
@Shelala
Mankato PD must do it a little differently Ms. Johnston apparently made it to jail. Wonder if the Officer finished his shift with a headache.
I’ve seen sexual assault with a pop bottle/beer bottle before, not a 2 liter one though, either one is rape.
brianrbreen on February 20 at 5:12 p.m.
@PROFINTOX
Not me.
As far as Burglary One is concerned even if the building was unoccupied and some weapons were ripped off, I would think it might be a good idea for the cops to show up.
Ron_the_Cop on February 20 at 5:20 p.m.
I would expect that all burglaries in progress are dispatch quickly and every effort is done to apprehend the crook. That’s why I wrote above about the importance of neighbors watching out for each other and reporting suspicious persons in their neighborhood that don’t appear to belong. Trust your gut feeling CALL don’t wait until after the burglary occurs and the cops show up.
I’m with you Brian all residential burglaries that are past should get a response by the cops and not diverted to CrimeCheck. Burglaries that are older could be referred to crime check. HOWEVER someone should roll for forensic evidence. The importance is recovering forensic evidence and or witness statements from the scene. If there were sharp investigative aids available (Lower cost) that could do this instead of rolling a blue suit I would go with that.
liveinfearoftheSPD on February 20 at 5:37 p.m.
I am looking forward to reading about private citizens shooting burglars. Not only taking thieves off the streets, but no doubt they will also be taking a good number of druggies down as well. That should help bring down the cost of the war on drugs.
Just look at all the money people can save by taking the law into their own hands. And since the SPD won’t do their job folks are forced to take the law into their own hands.
By doing this they can also cut back on the amount of the special drug task force personnel.
They have actually, unwittingly I am sure, made this a win win situation!
generallyspeaking on February 20 at 5:49 p.m.
Officers DO respond to burglaries…..check your facts…call crime check….they will tell you they DONT take burglary reports…..officers respond to ALL burglary reports…in progress or cold….
PROFINTOX on February 20 at 6:04 p.m.
@gs — that last post of yours is not clear to me. Can you clarify? You say they respond to all burglary reports, in progress or cold, but that they do not take burglary reports. So, if they do not take reports, how can they then respond to a burglary report? Or are you saying that an officer will respond to a report made through a different avenue (crime check???) but will not he himself respond to take a burglary report? And regarding checking facts — where are you able to check this? I would be interested. Are you implying that the 5% that are investigated and/or responded to basically burglaries? Simply looking for a more substantive answer. Thanks Ron and Brian for addressing my prior question.
liveinfearoftheSPD on February 20 at 6:08 p.m.
You just proved the point I guess.
If they don’t take burglary reports as you say, then there are no reports for officers to respond to.
generallyspeaking on February 20 at 8:19 p.m.
@Pro…..the officers do respond to ALL burglary reports….and they DO take reports on them…..You can call crime check to check that fact….OR you can call the police station and ask…..Brian is misleading you if not out right lying to you….and I meant CRIME CHECK does not take burglary reports…the OFFICERS respond and do take the report…..Burglary reports is one of many that officer’s MUST respond to….Many people are under the wrong assumption that when they talk to someone at crime check they are talking to an officer….crime check people are NOT officers…..
generallyspeaking on February 20 at 8:21 p.m.
@ infear…you are confused….CRIME CHECK does not take the report…They enter the call to dispatch officers to respond…..the OFFICER shows up and takes the report…
generallyspeaking on February 20 at 8:23 p.m.
@Pro….Crime check enters the call to dispatch officers to take the burglary report….CRIME CHECK does not write the report on burglaries….the officer does when he shows up….
brianrbreen on February 20 at 8:28 p.m.
@GS
Misleading? Lying?…not sure where…If you don’t have a property crimes unit, and your PIO says people aren’t going to have their Burglaries investigated chances are you ain’t going to have a Detective showing up to investigate it.
Keep trying though maybe one of these days.
generallyspeaking on February 20 at 8:29 p.m.
I guess I shouldn’t assume people know the basics…that crime check is there to take certain reports…but they enter calls to dispatch officers to other kind of calls….such as cold burglaries….
generallyspeaking on February 20 at 8:32 p.m.
Did I SAY a detective was going to show up Brian? NO I didn’t….I said they would send their police officers….you MIGHT be able to mislead alot of people…but your rhetoric doesn’t work with me…you are so full of it…pretending you know how things work…you don’t know squawk and we BOTH know it…
brianrbreen on February 20 at 8:34 p.m.
@GS
Not everyone is as well versed in this cop stuff as your average “insurance billing” person, or was it “student” with a part time job…I can’t remember.
generallyspeaking on February 20 at 8:37 p.m.
Not my job to remind you….but let me say this….You have proven you deserve the reputation you have…..even “Goose” thinks you’re a bafoon…
brianrbreen on February 20 at 8:38 p.m.
@GS
Okay…I got it now a Detective isn’t going to show up to do an investigation. Thanks now I understand.
generallyspeaking on February 20 at 8:39 p.m.
So Brian….when you’re shown to be inept….keep trying to deflect…..but like dead is dead….inept is inept….
brianrbreen on February 20 at 8:40 p.m.
@GS
Oh…so you find Goose…well good for you…great Detective work.
generallyspeaking on February 20 at 8:41 p.m.
Again….Inept…last time I check…an officer can investigate…just like any detective can…..but had you been any good at being an officer….or detective you would know that….
brianrbreen on February 20 at 8:42 p.m.
@GS
I understand. :)
brianrbreen on February 20 at 8:44 p.m.
@GS
Don’t forget the fat high school kid stuff.
PROFINTOX on February 20 at 8:50 p.m.
@gs — OK, I think I got it. Basically, they will always take the reports but the chances of a property crime actually being investigated is around 5%. That makes sense with what DeRuwe said back in October which was basically the 5% statement and also “We don’t want people to have that false impression that just because you make a police report a detective is going to look at it”. I still am curious what comprises the 5% or so that they decide to actively investigate though. DeRuwe offered a possible clue there when she urged everyone to continue reporting and “that detectives will try to focus on property crime trends and crime committed by repeat offenders through the department’s targeted crime unit”. So, possibly part of those investigated would be those appearing to have been committed by repeat offenders and that would be done by the target crime unit. I am sure what is meant by focusing on “property crime trends” though. Anyway, I think I got the basics even though some of the details remain unresolved.
brianrbreen on February 20 at 9:00 p.m.
@PROFINTOX
Not sure what percentage of the 47 Cases between 12/31/2010 and 1/1/2011 that the 12 Detectives in the Targeted Crimes Unit and Fraud Unit investigated were Burglaries, it could have been 5% but that wouldn’t be very many.
Shelala on February 20 at 9:08 p.m.
One of the reasons they want you to report is to develop statistics - not just to target got spots, but to try and validate their bid for more funding.Cog in the dysfunctional wheel.
liveinfearoftheSPD on February 20 at 9:32 p.m.
@gs
The only confusion I have is trying to understand your posts. You contradict yourself from one sentence to the next. If you were to attempt to say what you mean and mean what you say, I am sure there would be less confusion. /gs
It all boils down to, they need to stop handing out so many tickets for BS offences and get back to protecting and serving.
westerly on February 20 at 9:45 p.m.
“Secure search”? Move out of North Spokane, Hillyard, etc….
silverlake89 on February 20 at 9:55 p.m.
I was and still am supportive of not having a property unit, but this case in my mind falls under major crimes.
I don’t report petty crime because I think it goes with the territory so I either take care of it myself or let it go.
On the other hand, an acquaintance of mine was a victim of burglary. Two guys kicked in her front door while she was sleeping, she didn’t even have a chance to run to her sons room b4 one of them was holding her down with a blanket over her head warning her not to move. These guy did a sring of burglaries all with similar MO. They eventually escalated to assaulting their victims.
SPD has no business ignoring this or not taking the time to reassure the neighborhood that they are doing what the can.
Thanks PROFINTOX for getting some clarification on the 5%, I was wondering about that.
greenlibertarian on February 21 at 1:12 a.m.
“Metrics, you want METRICS?”
“I DEMAND the metrics!”
“YOU CAN’T HANDLE THE METRICS!”
Byrdie714 on February 21 at 6:12 a.m.
Must be a slow news day if the SR is running the same story since Sunday.
brianrbreen on February 21 at 6:25 a.m.
@Green
You might be right, I can’t figure out how when property crime reports were at their highest level in the late 80’s and the staffing level of the department was considerably lower, property crimes Detectives carried a caseload of around 25-30 cases per month.
Ron_the_Cop on February 21 at 11:03 a.m.
Silverlake89,
This is a matter of semantics.
In the trade residential burglaries are considered property crimes. Res burgs are usually assigned/investigated to the Crimes Against Property Unit or a similarly named unit.
These property crimes units typically handle a range of property crimes ranging from residential burglaries, grand and petty theft, in some cases Grand Theft Autos (GTAs) which is separate from burglary and thefts from vehicles and malicious mischief and lesser crimes against property.
If resources are tight I can understand allocating resources based on the seriousness of the crime e.g., less serious crimes go on the back burner. BUT IN THE case of residential burglaries they shouldn’t be thrown out with the bath water.
This is what occurred with this short sighted SPD policy change that was IMO facilitated by politicians/City officials CYA’g for other frauds and abuse of public tax money
To protect the public a full court press/multifaceted approach is necessary using a systems approach for maximizing the use of scarce resources to keep residential burglaries in check.
This system’s approach MUST consider the actions or inactions of the other CJ System players/actors - THE COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S priorities. I’ve heard from my sources that the lack of priority for residential burglaries within the prosecutor’s office was a factor in disbanding the Crimes Against Property Unit and sending the detectives to other units. IMO this was a bad move.
As an aside on the residential burglary I’m working for a client, the SO detective confirmed he corrected his affidavit and returned it to the prosecutor’s office where it’s again languish for many weeks yet again.
brianrbreen on February 21 at 1:37 p.m.
@Ron_the_Cop
Here is my perspective;
Early on when I had a local case and I came up with something the SPD was involved in and I found something, I would call and say look I came up with this you take first crack (not a good idea if you were doing what I did unless you trusted them), I don’t want to do anything that might hurt what you are doing. The folks I knew would say okay I’ll look at it and get back, and they would. A lot of times the cases were either dismissed or plead. I quit doing that with the SPD when I got the “wave” from the young folks that don’t understand that you at least listen and understand and go from there, and protect your own integrity along with the case.
I never in any case against the SO have had a problem with the SO. I could call someone I knew and just tell them what I had found, and they would take the time and effort to look into it. Despite the fact it was coming from someone that was on the other side.
You have to admit the Detective assigned to the case you are working could have kissed you off, given what the Sheriff might think of you they didn’t. You need to give the kid working the case and his supervisors credit for taking what you had, putting it all together and giving it to the DPA. The cops did their job and the DPA has a job to do.
Not everyone can afford to have a sleuth looking into their Burglaries, or thefts they have to rely on the cops doing their best.
@Shelala
After what I heard today I’m almost there.
silverlake89 on February 21 at 2:11 p.m.
FROM RON the COP…
1. “This is a matter of semantics.”
2. “If resources are tight…less serious crimes go on the back burner. BUT IN THE case of residential burglaries they shouldn’t be thrown out with the bath water.”
AMEN brother AMEN.
Ron_the_Cop on February 21 at 3:04 p.m.
@Brian,
I agree and publicly have given kudos to SO Det. Bob Sola for his diligence once we provided him with actionable information. I have no issues with him at all.
Many of the issues that Det. Sola and I encountered were procedural/bureaucratic road blocks. Det. Sola was very receptive to my input/advice/mentoring regarding securing search warrants that led to the ID of the suspects and recovery of some of the stolen jewelry.
I have told this to the Sheriff several times including an email I just sent today regarding this case languishing again at the County Prosecutor’s Office.
My point is that ALL PARTIES in the NON Criminal Justice System must set priorities and work together towards an agreed upon common goal. IMO for a number of reasons this case needed immediate attention because of the seriousness of the crime.
I can say without reservation that the SPD was of little assistance even though the main suspects were in the City and moving items into local businesses that will buy used jewelry off the street. Some are reporting as required by law to local LE. Others are not. This is one aspect of having property detectives not only to actively work crooks but also force compliance of businesses that are functioning as legal fences.
The victim and I developed actionable information the morning after the burglary (Friday) that led to the ID of one of the main suspects. This dealt with passing checks and credit cards the morning of the burglary (Thursday). I had the victim immediately notify her financial institutions re checks and cards taken. By Sunday we had located the residence of one of the main suspects and I eyeballed the suspect vehicle at this residence.
All the while I was trying to run this up the flag pole to get LE’s attention via CrimeCheck and other phone calls into both the SO and the SPD. I even went as far as to flagged down a SPD patrol unit. I gave the officer a flyer with suspect photos and stolen jewelry items. The patrol officer wasn’t even interested in keeping the flyer. I had specific information that the suspects were located in the Franklin Park Area and other information because of the check activity but I hadn’t pinned down the actual residence yet which I did locate on Sunday. Gee when I was a patrol dog I would have jumped on this information.
I Sunday I tried calling CrimeCheck again and got through to the SO/SPD dispatchers but could not get any further than the information would go to CrimeCheck and then would go to the detectives. I don’t have inside phone numbers other than one for the Sheriff.
I even told them I had solid evidence of an attempted forgery re the victim’s checks with a copy of the DL of the suspect who had to pass the check and knew where the suspect was currently at. I was told this wasn’t in progress call since the suspect had already left the bank. Go figure.
[Continued]
Ron_the_Cop on February 21 at 3:08 p.m.
[Continued]
The deck is stacked against the citizens/victims in more ways than one. WE ARE NOT GETTING ARE monies worth. No one in the loop seems to have any common sense or training when to break protocol and tell someone hire enough in the chain of command that can make a decision to initiate a call out of a detective.
The victim was at her wits end by Sunday evening and finally got a commitment from CrimeCheck to send an SPD officer to the residence to check for this one suspect. This was about 5PM. There was another subject at this residence that was believed to have a felony warrant. I had the information all that was needed was to confirm the warrant.
The officer who responded called the victim and said how could she ID her property. The victim said she had photos and could meet the officer within fifteen minutes. The victim never received any further call back. The victim called CrimeCheck again about 10:00PM. The SPD dispatcher at this point checked the CAD System and confirmed a patrol unit was sent. The officer did a door knock. The mother said the suspect was not home and the officer left. BFD!
I finally got a hold of Det. Sola on Monday morning and caught him cold. Det. Sola quickly recognized the seriousness of this case however because of procedural and other bureaucratic issues a search warrant wasn’t done at this residence until over a week later. This was through no fault of Det. Sola. Fortunately the suspect was still there and some items were recovered from the vehicle. Det. Sola kept on this case and diligently worked to ID the other involved suspects.
Brian, am I wrong to expect a better response:-)
Ron_the_Cop on February 21 at 3:15 p.m.
Sorry hire = higher:-)
mary1958 on February 21 at 6:47 p.m.
The best way to survive the lack of cops is to protect yourself in the first place. If you own property at least do the following:
–Light both the front and back of your home at night with at least a 60 watt bulb.
–Always lock your front and back door with a double cylinder 2 inch deadbolt with key only. Do not leave the key in the lock when you leave the house.
–Lock your windows when away and use a thick stick or board in the bottom track of any sliding doors or windows.
–Hammer a strong nail in the top of any tracked windows or doors to keep them from being lifted out.
–When you are home and in the backyard, DON’T leave your front door unlocked. Day time burglaries happen a lot.
–Live on a corner lot if you can.
–When the street lights go out call Avista
–Park your car off the street in your garage preferably. Yes this means put your junk in the basement instead. Lock the garage. ALWAYS LOCK YOUR GARAGE.
–If you must leave your car out DO NOT have anything someone would want to steal in it including radio/CD equipment that you can’t take out and with you. An alarm would be nice.
–Women don’t carry a purse. Leave it in your trunk if you must have your junk and just take your wallet.
–Don’t walk in dark areas at night alone–your Mama told you that , huh?
–look up more ideas on how to protect yourself online and don’t leave yourself open.
I seem to get quite an education on these blogs. I get IT! Thompson thought Zehm was going to rape him with a Pepsi bottle and so he beat, tasered, and hogtied Zehm in advance. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of crime.
I suspect that these other examples that were given on the dangerousness of soda bottles ended not in the death of the suspect because these Police departments had policies similar to the ones SPD had back in the ‘80’s. (See SR article “Spokane Police Trained to Use Minimum Force” by Mike Prager Nov 8,1987)
The then leader of the Spokane Police Academy, Lt. Jerry Oien,
stated that a baton strike was a level 7 of 10 (10 being gun)and that officers were to TALK to suspects first (level one.) They were only allowed to use weapons if there was a chance of “great bodily harm.” Come back ‘80’s.
Otto_Pilot on February 21 at 9:05 p.m.
Ottos and Creaches and Dodds!
Oh my!
Ottos and Creaches and Dodds!
ChefGus/ John Olsen on February 24 at 4:11 p.m.
Officer Mary…. thank you for your past service and for the “tips” they seem common sense of course..but folks get a bit lax….the “perps” whom ever they may be, need to know that there are more than a few “armed” citizens..Par Exemplo’.my point of entry has a deadbolt, a “latch” and a 1.75 inch closet dowel from the door to the wall across…. so a lot of “noise” would be generated….. and my “bedroom piece” is a .45 Cal Long Colt..A Taurus “Judge” The first three rounds are .410 gauge 4 pellet Buck.. each of which is .36 Cal and has 921 ft lbs of energy at 2 yards…..( a .45 Cal 1911 has 370 ft lbs..) and I am current at the Range…. there are more than a few of us… and when someone enters my home…my words are/will be.. through the door… “I am afraid for my life”… because I am… I really would be… end of story… john
mary1958 on February 25 at 11:11 a.m.
A “bedroom piece.” Your “final answer.” Cool.