Well gang,
I jumped into the fray here in small town USA last night. Here, in the smallest of incorporated towns in Western Washington, with never over 650 residences, a fight is brewing with local law enforcement, and the Town’s present administrators.
I attended the Town council meeting last evening. The Town of Pe Ell has an elected Mayor and an elected 5 member council. The town provides water, sewer, cemetery, and a part-time one man police force with an ever increasingly bloated budget with a proposal for a full time force with 24/7 protection (harassment). Of course the tax payers in this community can’t afford a 24/7 full time, 4 or 5 member police force.
So, big brother, your Uncle Sam has offered COPS grants though the Dept. of Justice for the concept of community policing. I ask these questions: If local law-enforcement officers have their salaries paid by the Federal government, who do they work for? Is this tantamount to the United States Police Force? Local administrators say, no no no, we are in charge of their actions. I question: if push come to shove, who would win that stand-off?
I guess this might even be acceptable if we had any crime. The lack of crime leads to policing problems. The largest social problems this town has experienced in the past 20 years must fall squarely on the shoulders of those authorizing overly aggressive policing.
Recently police in this community have been stopping residents for any little infraction, in my opinion, only to check on the occupants, sniff, look, check papers, and what-not.
This is a sleepy little town with mostly retirees, (of which I am one) no employment base, those still working must commute, and a live and let live environment.
I had not prearranged to have my concerns placed on the agenda, so I went just to observe. I was not expecting to speak, and was not prepared too, but the Mayor ask if I had any concerns, so I let go. The Council, Mayor, two cops, towns attorney, Town clerk, and two city maintenance worker got an ear full of my disgust with the Towns Marshall’s self aggrandizing request to the Feds for a full-time 24/7 police force.
I am asking the broader activist community to guide me in the process of informing residences of small communities, they should not be lured by “outside money’s” for local policing when there is no crime to control. Our house is left unlocked most of the time, and we walk the streets at night and have never seen a problem in the community.
The civilian citizen residences of small town America should not be viewed as suspects, or hassled on their daily coarse of living, raising families, attending school functions, or socializing with friends. Where are we heading, and better yet, how do we turn this around, I ask all? I am sure the town gathering places are all a chatter this morning concerning my actions last evening. This is not the end of the story and I will surely have more soon.
Civilian Citizen Resident of Pe Ell, Washington; Ed Saukkooja
20 responses so far ↓
MrAdventure // June 27, 2009 at 7:24 pm |
I agree with you. We’re already living in a Big Brother Police State. It was weird when I got back from Iraq. It seemed like there were cops EVERYWHERE!
Jenny // August 20, 2009 at 3:08 am |
Get off the HEMP EXPRESS and join us back on planet earth. The world we live in now is changing and yes economic times are hard and with that does bring crime.
Who’s door are you gonna bang down when the house you “leave unlocked most of time” is burglarized? Give me a break Ed…the gathering places are not whispering about you and comments made at town hall meetings. You give yourself WAY too much credit. (or smoked to many joints? which by the way…is illegal.)
hemped // September 7, 2009 at 12:33 am |
Hi Jenny;
I am curious what prompted your response 2 months after I posted on my blog that I had attended the council meeting. Although I have not taken any further action mainly because I was notified by Rep. Bairds office that the Pe Ell Police will not be granted the money to support what the Marshall has requested.
As far as crime in Pe Ell goes. That is why I live here. I watch my neighbors house, they watch ours.
Stop by and visit if your in the neighborhood. My friends and neighbors would be glad to meet with you.
Rip // August 20, 2009 at 11:15 am |
Ed, You really do not know what you are talking about do you? And you think pretty high of yourself. I looked at poulation charts your Town, it has over 670 residents. I don’t understand your problem with people being stopped for breaking the law. If people are being stopped for lights out, speeding, no seat belts on and other things all of the items are against the law. If people don’t want to be stopped fix the problems. Another thing did everyone get a ticket or a warning. According to the map I looked at your Town was a State Highway that runs thru it. So, I find hard to believe that only the Town’s people are being stopped. I also, have to ask would you be this upset if your State Police where making all this stops? Maybe instead of being a loud mouth about the problem maybe you should ask to sit down with the Town’s Marshal and Mayor and ask some questions and allow them to answer your concerns. Maybe there is alot more going on than you know. And to Mr. Adventure I would have to believe you are military and if you are how can you say you agree. If you aren’t you will be glad for all the police when you and Ed both need them.
hemped // September 7, 2009 at 12:41 am |
Yes officer!
Jenny // August 21, 2009 at 5:35 am |
Mr. Adventure are you sure your not wanted or A- wall? Cuz listen..you say Cops evreywhere? Why were you fighting for our Country? Oh thats right, FREEDOM ya dumb ASS! We were attacked..and let us not forget who was at the front lines of September 11th 2001 but the courageous men and women…Firefighters, ordinary hard working Citizens, Doctors, Nurses and the POLICE!!!
You and Ed need to hook up and use some more mar-i-jew-wana cuz you two are funny!!
hemped // September 7, 2009 at 12:54 am |
Jenny; I must reply on Mr. Adventures behalf. I know the man. He was working on his Master Degree at Pepperdine University Sept. 11, 2001. He quit school and joined the Marines. Not as an officer, which he could of, but as a grunt. He served two tours in Iraq. To imply this brave man is wanted or A-wall borders on slander.
Please tell me how having 24/7 police enforcement in Pe Ell protects my freedom. If you have so much money as not to worry about your property taxes going up, maybe you should hire your own security cop. Stay safe.
Again, I suggest you stop by for a visit. ed
Richard Cranston // August 24, 2009 at 5:19 pm |
Mr. Adventure? IF, and I mean, IF, you went to Iraq, what the heck do you think you were doing? Don’t you think YOU were involved in a “police action”. And what do you mean by “cops everywhere”? You certainly do not mean out town of Pe Ell. Pe Ell has three part time and several reserve officers. All are doing a great job. Have you taken the time to meet any of them?
hemped // September 7, 2009 at 1:28 am |
Mr Cranston;
I do believe Mr. Adventure was speaking about police presence all across the country since 9/11, and how it has increased. I know Mr. Adventure, he did serve two tours in Iraq. Not as a officer which with his education he certainly could have, but as a grunt Marine. He has been recouping since I last saw him upon his return home in the summer of 07. And no Mr. Cranston, that was not a policing action, it was an undeclared WAR.
Now that I have cleared up your questioning of Mr. Adventures credentials, please tell me how having 24/7 police protection in Pe Ell keeps me safer. The city of Los Angles has 1 police for every 1000 people. Our town managers have decided we need 5 police for 600 citizens.
Who buys all the gas to keep this fleet on the road? At last count the town is supporting 5 police vehicles, computers, cell phones, radios, badges, guns, flak vests, training, ect. The town couldn’t afford to pay for fire protection, but lots of money for cops. Lets have some priority here.
How do you expect this to be paid for? I’ll answer that for you. The only way this is paid for is by allowing this community to become a training ground for wanna be cops. I don’t want my friends and family subjected to untrained, unsupervised wanna be’s trying to make a name for themselves. Why the hell should I meet with them?
Please feel free to stop by and we can discuss this matter further. You know where I live.
Mary R. // August 26, 2009 at 7:31 pm |
Ed, you are way off base. I wish you would report on the facts.
1. There is no fight brewing between the town and the Marshall’s office. Please cite one example where you come to this conclusion.
2. The ever-increasing bloated budget that you note is solely because of the recent floods and damage to our town’s infrastructure. Did you ever look at last year’s budget? Have you seen this year’s budget? Are you offering any constructive input into the preparation of next year’s budget? Just the facts man.
3. When is the last time you checked the U.S. Department of Justice, Uniform Crime Report for Pe Ell? Do you even know what crimes are being reported in our town? Are you aware that crime is on the increase?
We are 20-30 minutes away from the nearest law enforcement agency. When is the last time you a Deputy patrolling our community? Odds are that when you saw a Deputy, they were responding to a call for help because our own police officers were not on duty.
4. Which brings me to the next point. You rail against the police department and yet you do not even know how many officers serve your community. In your second paragraph above, you state that we have one part-time officer. Yet in paragraph seven, you state that we have two officers. How can you berate something that you have absolutely NO knowledge of? Ed, is it one officer? Or two? Guess what? Neither answer is correct. Our little town has three part-time officers and four reserve officers. Have you taken the time to meet any of them? No?
5. A little big on the conspiracy theory aren’t you?! A federal police department? When you have time between joints, check out the COPS program and what it does for the community. You might be pleasantly surprised. Oops. What was I thinking? I get it now. Is it that you want to sell your dope unimpeded? All of those evil jack-booted Nazi’s would just rain on your parade. Wouldn’t they? Ed, your concerns may all be for naught. Your anointed one has decided to spend my money elsewhere. Our town may not be receiving the grant after all. Marijuana plants unite. You are free.
6. A “Standoff”? What are you suggesting? Should you decide to barricade yourself in your “greenhouse”, the Sheriff’s SWAT team would be called. They will respond and extract your dumb ass from your (grow) light bulb supply business. After all, there is no law enforcement in our town. Right? Well, there may be one or two shadow figures posing as police officers. Nevertheless, we really don’t know. Do we?
7. Stopping people for infractions. Hmm. When is the last time you were behind a tractor-trailer in the rain without mud flaps? Kinda miserable. Wasn’t it? Probably not very safe either. In addition, what about that pickup truck with the gravel coming off the bed? Ever ding or crack your windshield? In addition, what about the children on the cross walk at the school? You must not mind the cars speeding through town at 50+ miles per hour. None of that matters. Right? They are just infractions after all. Ed, those cops you refer to with so much disdain, are even looking out for your miserable existence.
8. You may leave your house unlocked, but I bet you lock your “greenhouse”. Don’t want those tomato’s taken. Do we?
Judging by the overwhelming response to your posting, it doesn’t look like you have any support Ed. I live within a few blocks of you. Your neighbors know very well what you do for a living. Our town is too small for secrets. You are a cancer to this community. MOVE AWAY.
Judy // August 28, 2009 at 3:18 am |
Mary very well put!! There are no words left to say!! Other Then there is so much under age drinking and drugs, with out the positive Rome models there will be no hope for the kids in Pe Ell. Pe ell needs to be cracked down on. As Far as you go Ed, Don’t give the police a reason to pull you over. Obey the law, By the way get rid of the drugs and you wont be so paranoid. As for the police thank you for making Pe ell a safe place for my kids to come visit!
eb // September 9, 2009 at 8:40 pm
Do you think under age drinking is something new in Pe Ell? Even when they had cops years ago, kids drank more than you can imagine.
Cops are not necessarily positive role models, but parents should be. That’s what is lacking in Pe Ell. The parents now are the same ones that were drinking under-age and drugging 20 years ago. Try being a role model yourself instead of relying on cops to provide the role model.
hemped // September 7, 2009 at 2:31 am |
Goosh Mary;
Do I need to go through all your complaints about me 1 thru 8?
First of all you want facts. I think you are more than just a little confused. 1) There will be a fight brewing if rational judgement doesn’t prevail. 2)Who’s paying for all the cars, gas, equipment, etc. Not enough money to support a fire department, but all that is necessary to build an unwarranted police dept. 3) Washington State Patrol is through Pe Ell at least 4 times a day, as far as response time for emergencies, We have Sheriff Deputies a lot closer than 30 minutes. Anytime there is anything of consequence the Sheriff is here anyway. Another issue with local cops is favoritism. If you want particulars call me or stop by to discuss those cases. 4) The question about how many cops we have? Who knows, it changes weekly. But, now for 5). Do you know what slander means? For you to state in writing that I sell dope is not only untrue, but slanderous. No question about it. Do you want to continue with this line of discourse? Because I feel prohibition is unconstitutional, does that make me a drug dealer. I have been making the argument for industrial hemp and anti-prohibition of cannabis for 20 years, doesn’t make me a drug dealer. Where did I say anything about Nazi’s or Jack booted thugs? Those are your words. 6) You seem to have a major problem with my greenhouse. Come take a look. 7) Again, I speak of overly aggressive policing. Again if you would care to stop by for a visit I could tell you about a few stops totally unwarranted. As far as cars speeding through town. The cop car being parked at city hall doesn’t stop many speeders. The cop we do have hired spends his time writing grants for more cops to do the job he was hired to do. Crosswalks: I guess having crossing guard students or citizen volunteers at the crosswalks are out of the question. Hell, if you got ride of the cops, I would volunteer at the crosswalks a couple times a week. How about you?
I am curious why it took you over two months to reply to my post. I hope you will be a frequent reader of the Hemp Lobby Chronicles, you might learn something. I’ve been here almost as long as you Mary, knock it off, about the cancer and move away garbage. I’m here, live with it. ed
eb // September 9, 2009 at 9:05 pm |
Mary, what are you looking at for your Uniform Crime Report for Pe Ell?
This?
http://www.disastercenter.com/washingt/crime/14191.htm
Where did you find a more recent version to support your assertions?
CATHY LYMAN // August 28, 2009 at 4:04 pm |
MR. ED,
THERE IS ONLY ONE REASON PEOPLE DO NOT WANT LAW ENFORCEMENT, BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT LAW ABBIDING.YOU SAID YOU ARE RETIRED ,FROM WHAT PROFFESSION?, POT SMOKING, POT GROWING, POT SELLING, SORRY, YOU ARE STILL GAINFULLY EMPLOYED, SMOKE ANOTHER JOINT,YOU JERK
hemped // September 7, 2009 at 2:38 am |
Yes officer Cathy; Oh that’s right, your not an officer, you just lay with them. Your the real jerk, and not a very good cook.
eb // September 9, 2009 at 8:36 pm |
Wow, I can’t believe the ignorant comments being posted.
Cathy, I guess you would be fine with the big brother watching you all the time right? If you’re not doing anything you want to hide, why not add a camera for all to see?
BTW Mary, 5 people posting does not make an “overwhelming” response. Especially when they are full of ignorance and light on facts.
To suggest that Pe Ell needs anywhere close to 7 (or even 3) cops is simply ridiculous. Try to get beyond your knee jerk reactions and think a little bit.
printmaster // September 11, 2009 at 5:30 am |
All I know is that Pe Ell Rocks!! We have such a great community with a very unique quality of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Neighbors look out for neighbors. We don’t need a bunch of outside the community jack booted thugs infringing on our rights.
Can’t everyone just get along???
MrAdventure // September 11, 2009 at 11:24 pm |
Wow, lots of activity since I last posted.
First, let me cut myself down to size a bit. Ed, I did go to Pepperdine, but just as an undergrad, and I dropped out in my final year (2000) to work on my internet start up.
So when I was going in in 2003, they encouraged me to come back with a few more credits, and be an officer instead, but I chose to go Enlisted Infantry.
So anyway, yes, I was in Iraq, two different times. The first time I was in Falluja, which I would call a war, and the second time I was in Ramadi, which was a police action with bombs. It was far tougher than Falluja, and gave me great respect for those patrolling our streets back in the U.S.
That doesn’t mean I want them crawling all over the place.
And I believe they are. So do most of my war buddies who I’ve chatted with recently. There are cops…. everywhere!
I’ve been back in the States for less than a week, driving like an old man. Yet I took off from a stop light too fast and have already roped myself a speeding ticket.
But if you want my honest opinion, none of this really matters. It’s our little distraction measures to keep us from realizing that the world we’ve built is collapsing around us, we’re constantly being lied to on TV (I’ve seen that first hand) and no one in charge really knows what to do except “keep the dollars coming.”
Judy // September 14, 2009 at 3:13 am |
eb, You are passing judgment on me however you don’t even know who I am. I did live in Pe Ell for while as a minor and things are getting worse!! By the way I am a good role model to my children. I’m not saying that I am relying on the cops to be a role model, But for my kids to know they can turn to the cops if they are in danger. However if there are no cops for 30 minutes then what are they to do.I know under age drinking and drugs are a problem everywhere.