Bremerton Homeland Security Jobs Program

Cheerful TV news video featuring newspeople who ask no questions: Bremerton company builds interceptor boats for U.S. Customs

“The Bremerton company was awarded a $48 million contract to build 52 of the vessels.”

Port Angeles connection:

New vessel marks milestone for Bremerton’s SAFE Boats

“U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agent Jeff Picinich (kneeling), who is stationed in Port Angeles, smiles as he inspects the new coastal interceptor vessel with agent Jesse Wozniak, of southern Florida, at Thursday’s ceremony for the boat at SAFE Boats International.”

Newspeople didn’t show up to ask any questions, so I’ll ask a few. My questions appear in bold type.

Port Angeles heroin-

Question for newspeople:

What role do 1,200-horsepower Border Patrol Interceptor boats play in keeping heroin away from the Puget Sound area?

2011-

“… their main interaction with the boating public: Boarding boats and checking for ID, getting a “vibe,” as Jeff P. called it, for what’s up.”

2013-

Heroin epidemic gripping Port Angeles

2015-

Port Angeles residents fed up with heroin problem

PA police to carry heroin overdose antidote

Clallam commissioners asked to consider heroin problem in next year’s budget

“Clallam County’s death rate from prescription opioid and heroin overdose was 29 per 100,000 in 2013, nearly twice the state’s overdose death rate of 14.8 per 100,000, health officials have said.”

Frequent updates here.

Love to see newspeople ask:

What role does the Port Angeles Border Patrol play in keeping heroin away from the Olympic Peninsula?

Has the Port Angeles Border Patrol been able to intercept any inbound heroin?

When is the last time the Port Angeles Border Patrol made an arrest of any kind?

Any arrests connected to the US/Canada border?

Any arrests connected to a Homeland Security mission?

Why did the Blaine Sector Weekly US Border Patrol blotter go extinct?

Are fraudulent overtime claims still the norm at Port Angeles?

Border Patrol whistleblower pays price for refusing overtime pay

Whidbey Island:

Are these boats built in Bremerton? Newspeople didn’t take the time to ask.

Federal grant money goes to “…gain a better grasp on cross border activity and to prevent illegal crossings.”

“Funding for the boat was issued through the Homeland Security Grant Program under Operation Stonegarden.”

“But the sheriff’s office, after getting a $225,000 grant through the Homeland Security Grant Program, will be purchasing a new vessel.”

If public meetings were held on Whidbey Island & people were asked to state their top law enforcement priorities- would a Homeland Security patrol boat show up anywhere on the list?

If the Sheriff was interviewed & asked for his wish list- is there any possibility that it would include a Homeland Security patrol boat?

Took a quick look on the web to see if there is a post 911 history of maritime “cross-border activity” on Whidbey & could not find anything. If anyone has info, please post in comments.

More here: DHS Grant Money comes to Whidbey Island

JFK speaks about the role of the press in a free society-