It’s Murder Out There

James Nelson, a lifelong resident of Spokane, has no explanation for the record number of homicides Spokane has witnessed in 1995, a year when the rest of the country saw murder rates decline.

“I think the only one who could explain it, possibly, is Chief (of Police Terry) Mangan. Perhaps we should put him on the spot and have him come up with his views on why the murder rate has gone up so terribly high in this town. Other than drugs, I don’t know of any other reason.”

In fact, police spokesman Dick Cottam did respond to the “Bagpipes” item, saying there’s no clear pattern to the killings. Causes range from a mercy killing to a murder-suicide to child abuse.

And Cottam’s call preceded Tuesday’s news of a North Side shooting death, reportedly the culmination of a neighborhood feud.

The police spokesman said the record may merely reflect Spokane’s usual lag behind trends that occur elsewhere.

“Seattle and Tacoma had big, big jumps (in murder statistics) four, five, six years ago, and ours didn’t increase at all,” said Cottam. “Then theirs leveled off, and ours began to go up. It’s almost like a wave effect.”

Share your sense of community

A month ago, I asked “Bagpipes” readers for their thoughts about community. What makes a community something more than just geography? How do community members sort out their individual differences to decide what’s best for the whole?

Some thoughtful responses have come back, but there’s room for more perspectives.

For inspiration, if you need any, consider the words of Aaron Feuerstein, 70-year-old owner of a textile mill that burned down in Methuen, Mass., two weeks before Christmas.

The fire left 1,400 workers idle and consigned the entire village to a seemingly bleak future.

But Feuerstein gave every worker a paycheck, a Christmas bonus and a food coupon. He promised everyone full salaries for at least 30 days and paid health insurance for at least 90 days. And he announced he would rebuild the mill rather than just spend his insurance claim elsewhere.

“My commitment is to Massachusetts and New England,” he said. “It’s where I live, where I play, where I worship.”

Now we know what community means to Aaron Feuerstein. What does it mean to you?

, DataTimes MEMO: “Bagpipes” appears Tuesdays and Thursdays. To respond, call Cityline at 458-8800, category 9881, from a Touch-Tone phone, or send a fax to 459-5098 or e-mail to dougf@spokesman.com. You also can leave Doug Floyd a message at 459-5577, extension 5466.