Ceasefire Declared In Nasty Dispute

For now, the war of words and gunshots has ceased at Arjay Mobile Home Park.

Four sheriff’s deputies have been assigned to the Otis Orchards mobile home park to make sure it stays that way.

Also in place is a no-contact order that forbids Mark Topp and his mother, Barbara Prokopich, from talking to Leonard Williams, J’mi Beeching or any of the other residents involved in the conflict and vice versa, said sheriff’s Lt. Doug Silver.

The conflict at Arjay boiled over on July 23 when Williams told deputies Topp shot out the right front tire on his car. Topp was charged with second-degree reckless endangerment for the shooting.

Prokopich said she and her son are victims of harassment led by Beeching.

Deputies also talked to every resident in the mobile home park and told them of the agreement.

The actions are a result of a two-hour meeting this month involving representatives from the Spokane County Sheriff’s Department, Community Mental Health, the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office, as well as those people directly involved in the conflict.

“After some heated discussion we were able to move beyond what had happened and toward future needs,” Silver said.

Future needs included assigning deputies Lee Bates, Mike Beckman, Bret Pierson and Steve Jones to monitor the situation.

“What we’re trying to do is prevent any further violence from occurring,” Silver said.

Deputies have taken a gun from Topp four times since January. Topp has only been charged for the July 23 incident.

Bates and Beckman, who work day and swing shift, respectively, talk individually to both sides on a daily basis to make sure the terms of the agreement have not been violated by either side. As part of the agreement, residents are supposed to call Bates or Beckman with minor concerns and call 911 only for dangerous situations.

Pierson and Jones both work the graveyard shift. They have been informed of the history between the two groups and how to handle any calls concerning the mobile home park, but do not call on the residents.

Both sides have been very cooperative, so far, and both know if there is any violation the offending party will be arrested, Silver said.

“It’s greatly improved,” Silver said. “It’s one of those situations where it can’t be totally solved.”

, DataTimes