MCP&PSG COFFEE & DISCUCCION 9-25-07 MANCHESTER FAMILY INN 6:45AM

Attending today's meeting were Joe and Mary Ann Blazevich,Paul Gilligan, Richard Dillworth, Joe Guariz, Ray Pardo, Cpl. Bob Millard, Joyce Rada, Bud and Wanda Larsen, Kerri Desjardin, Rudy and Louise Renteria, Peggy Warren.    Today's special guests were Kitsap County Community Services Deputy Pete Ball and his assistant, wife Debra Ball.  Debra is a volunteer with the Sheriff's office, she is working in facilities and equipment inventory, in addition to supporting husband Pete in his many Community services.   They are a hard working and valuable team that is appreciated in many ways, throughout Kitsap County.

We need to obtain a new program that would allow us to forward a copy of the form passed out this morning, as soon as we do we will forward it to you.  As you know every week we hand around that week's law enforcement notices that are forwarded to us.  The form from the office of Steve Boyer, Kitsap County Sheriff gives address, telephone and fax number.  By submitting this form with your name, Email Address, Phone number you will indicate your interest in receiving email news releases from the Sheriff's office on a regular basis.

We discussed the nationwide Neighborhood Watch programs available to us.    Keep an eye out in the weeks to come, Bud Larsen, Joe Blazevich, Joyce Rada and others will be stopping by to update the Watch maps in your neighborhood.  With the number of moves every years, current information becomes outdated quickly.  This is an annual attempt we make to have the right information available to 911, the Sheriff's office and neighbors.  Following research calls, Pete will be able to contact Joyce with information about Neighborhood Watch programs in other areas.    We already have a number of excellent brochures to hand out when these calls are made, we hope to develop some uniformity and sharing of information.    Keep in mind that proven programs  that include restrictions are invaluable to those who are volunteering to maintain records and encourage safe practices throughout our neighborhoods.   Pete agreed that volunteer help would be of help.  However at the present time there is no physical space for volunteers to work.    Nor is their equipment or funds to devote to volunteer services.

Pete mentioned the WRISTWATCH program that is available to schools whereby the classes are conducted in conjunction with reading, writing, and arithmetic formats.  There is a module available to view showing how fire, safety helmets, drowning and other safety measures can provide safety measures in neighborhoods.   This program does have some costs involved as well as a time commitment with school administrators.  To date this program is not being used in South Kitsap, we would like to see it happen.  It was suggested the program might be made available to students through the PTA organization.   Information can be obtained through the NFPA program, called RISK WATCH at http://riskwatch.org. Grants may also be forthcoming for these programs that need the support of the teachers and the school systems to be successful.    We will be studying this topic and keep you advised on what we find.  Additional information on Disaster Preparedness is also needed.

A flyer on the 7:00PM July 25th COMMUNITY CONVERSIONS meeting was passed around.  The meeting is for the purpose of a conversation on how your tax dollars are spent.  Kitsap County Administration Building.    Additional meetings will be held in other area's of Kitsap on October 2, and October 11.

Also this evening is the monthly meeting of the Manchester Community Council.  6:30PM at the Manchester Library, please plan to attend.

Tomorrow, 9-26-07 there will be a 60th Anniversary Reception for the Manchester Friends of The Library.  We hope everyone will stop by and voice appreciation to our hard working library staff and Friends volunteers.    This event  starts at 1:00PM and goes until 7:00PM, see you there?

A member of our group expressed frustration relating to a seeming lack of interest by the person answering the Sheriff and 911 telephones, when calling in a concern or suspicion about unusual or aggressive behavior.    The feeling being staff was being bothered.  Deputy Ball emphasized the need to continue to make calls, if response is not what one would expect, report the incident.  If you don't call in, or report issues, the Department is left not knowing there has been a problem.  The same applies to callbacks.  Most important everyone needs to remember that while your call is vitally important, there may be one or more calls ahead of your call that require a life saving response immediately, be prepared to have to wait at times.

There is a need for contact with our County Commissioners for more dedicated dollars in the budget for law enforcement.  This needs to be a priority issue when it comes to allotting dollars.  There is a need for more officers and a pro-active response County wide.  Kitsap is on the low end of the 39 counties with established law enforcement programs.  At present we are at 35, from the bottom of 39 for  deputy resident ratio.  We discussed the important COP services, presently their duties include parking enforcement, abandoned vehicles, handicapped parking violations, vacation watch, etc.  They are vitally important to us county wide and all are volunteers who care about the community they live in.  Life safety, roads, and schools are key issues in whatever we can do to improve on-going law issues.

Considerations for study and review include spending, informed voters and citizens, Unions and decent pay with benefits.  There is strength in numbers.

The use of Neighborhood watch logo's on our homes and businesses was discussed.  It is proven that thieves are far less likely to approach a home or business that has posted WATCH or other law information that pertains to the site.    A lived in pickup in downtown Manchester that has been there for several years, has been reported to Cpl. Bob Millard and is under review.

Bud reported that the Port of Manchester ramp extension project has encountered some difficulties and is behind schedule. 

Submitted:     Wanda Larsen