Suncrest Substation Delivers More Than Area Patrols In/Around: Suncrest
The new Suncrest sheriff’s substation offers neighborhood patrols, school safety information and midwife services.
Midwifery?
The Suncrest substation - the first in Stevens County to be modeled after Spokane’s successful COPS program - got an unusual call last week from a woman on the verge of giving birth.
Sheriff’s detective Ted Campbell knew exactly what to do: Call for some expert help.
Campbell’s wife, Donna, an emergency room nurse at Deaconess Hospital and a veteran of “hundreds” of births, was pulled out of her morning shower to assist the local volunteer fire department with the delivery.
“I hadn’t had my coffee yet,” Donna Campbell said.
The substation - and it’s full range of services - has been operating informally since June.
The station will open officially Oct. 14. The substation office, donated by County Homes Realty, is undergoing renovations meanwhile.
Ted Campbell, the sheriff’s detective assigned to south Stevens County, requested a Suncrest substation in January after watching the success of the COPS organizations in Spokane neighborhoods.
Suncrest, with about 1,000 homes, has a surprising amount of crime, Campbell said.
Gangs have moved in, resulting in a recent drive-by shooting. The neighborhood has also had problems with residential break-ins.
The request was approved. The acronym COPS was switched to SCCAT Stevens County Community Action Team - and 100 people showed up for an initial informational meeting.
COPS organizer Cheryl Steele met with Suncrest residents and Campbell to offer advice. This summer, 40 residents went through training.
The substation is continuing its neighborhood patrols, with volunteers reporting suspicious activity to Campbell and Stevens County detectives.
It has also started a school safety committee to talk about the community impacts of open campuses.
The Stevens County sheriff plans to open more substations, with the next one going in Loon Lake.
It has not been determined if midwife services will be offered there.
, DataTimes