What I Like About Local Government

Local government must form a relationship with the people they serve.

July 17, 2020 Whidbey News-Times

Fire commissioners place levy lid lift on ballot

“The department is putting together a citizens advisory committee of about six to eight people in order to get input from residents, and a few more members are still needed.”

Working to keep the public informed.

“Information about volunteering for the committee is on the district’s website.”

Working to make their case.

“Under the proposal, the extra funding would be used to replace two aging fire engines, the emergency radios and self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighters.”

Compare to the US federal government:

US Border Patrol, Port Angeles, WA

An upgrade in staff requiring a new, $11.9 million, 50 agent facility. Secret arrest statistics, denied FOIA requests, heroin and meth in the community, rare and mysterious cross-border arrests, fraudulent overtime claims, 1,200-horsepower interceptor boats and zero questions from the press.

Are fraudulent overtime claims still the norm at Port Angeles?

Border Patrol whistleblower pays price for refusing overtime pay

Has Port Angeles CBP been able to intercept any inbound meth or heroin?

Even one time?

Why are Border Patrol arrest statistics secret at Port Angeles?

“Disclosure of the arrest statistics from the Port Angeles station would provide those interested in crossing our borders illegally with information that could aid their strategic targeting of potentially vulnerable areas along the border,” he said in an e-mail. “To maintain operational security these numbers will not be provided.”

Go and ask the FBI for Chicago bank robbery statistics. You’ll get the numbers. They won’t tell you that statistics/public records must be withheld because stats would assist bank robbers if they were shared with the public.

Washington State Patrol shares DUI arrest statistics on social media here:

“Our #WSP District 8 troopers removed 1,429 impaired drivers from the roads in 2018.”

“Here is a breakdown of what it looks like in each of our 7 counties.”

Elsewhere, when CBP has something to brag about-the public is promptly notified:

Border Patrol K-9 Sniffs out Cocaine Hidden in Dashboard

Border Patrol Stops Drug Smuggler on I-8

Border Patrol Agent’s Public Safety Check Turns into Heroin Bust

What other law enforcement agencies, anywhere in the US maintain secret arrest statistics?

Port Angeles – Post 911 CBP Spending Spree

Rare & Mysterious Port Angeles Border Patrol Arrests

4 Stories The Puget Sound Press Will Not Question Or Report On

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