A response from the Mayor

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A response from the Mayor

Submitted by Merwyn Haskett on Tue, 11/13/2007 - 12:35pm.

In response to a Friday afternoon email:

Mr. Haskett, a properly briefed, equipped and coordinated police response cannot be generated on a moment's notice. The day before (Wednesday)OPD had "surged" on very short notice by holding over the 10-hour day shift, calling in the 10-hour swing shift early, and bringing in people on overtime. We have a small force, and we could not sustain that same level of effort throughout the next day. The Port of Olympia seemed to believe that our Wednesday effort was the norm and could be achieved "on call." A few trucks wanted to leave toward the end of a very long day and we could not provide enough officers at that time to insure either operational effectiveness or officer safety. Now there is better understanding at the Port as to what our capacity really is and scheduling is being done with that in mind.
We did (and do) get assistance from our neighbors, backing our department up on normal calls for assistance if our force is heavily concentrated on one event. When properly rested and available, Olympia's police are sufficient to control the situation.

Merwyn Haskett's blog
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Since the police are

Submitted by Merwyn Haskett on Tue, 11/13/2007 - 1:35pm.

Since the police are stretched too thin during times of crisis can't they deputize those of us who want to help get the job done quick and efficient? I don't have a plastic badge or anything like that, but I do have a pair of handcuffs. (don't ask)

Please give me a second grace. Please give me a second face. I've fallen far down, the first time around, now I just sit on the ground in your way.
Nick Drake

Citizens Arrest

Submitted by DrewHendricks on Tue, 11/13/2007 - 3:46pm.

Washington State allows citizens to arrest those they see committing a misdemeanor, and those they reasonably believe to have committed a felony. But we did that Friday, and "Bill" has yet to comply with the arrest. I informed OPD, and they have yet to follow the law as well.

Just keep in mind that a citizens arrest is not a flying tackle, and you will be held liable for damages even if you're legally correct in the arrest itself. And if I see you assaulting someone, I'll (you guessed it). So be careful, Mr Vigilant - we're actually enforcing international law, the treaties signed by the US, and the Constitution. Your citizens' arrest under a municipal code could be taken for interference with a lawful arrest under higher laws...

Not being a question troll here, so bear with me

Submitted by Guglielmo on Tue, 11/13/2007 - 4:00pm.

What misdemeanor or felony statute(s) are you claiming ol' "Bill" violated.

Vehiclular Assault

Submitted by DrewHendricks on Wed, 11/14/2007 - 2:32pm.

Three separate times he pushed people in the crosswalk with the bumper of his truck. He knew they were there, and they were not necessarily there legally, but he's not allowed to drive into or over them despite how frustrated he might feel. Just as I am not allowed to push a rock through his window and pull him from the vehicle, no matter how frustrated I felt watching him try to run over a bunch of people.

If he's committing an

Submitted by Norm on Wed, 11/14/2007 - 2:34pm.

If he's committing an assault and you "arrest" him don't you have legal authority to now take him into custody by any means necessary? If he is truly committing vehicular assault then he is a danger to the community and needed to be apprehended.

Everytime I Read

Submitted by JstPlnOnry on Wed, 11/14/2007 - 2:37pm.

one of Drew's responses I always hear that Peanut's teacher going "whomp whomp whomp whomp whomp" instead...

I never could make sense of a word she said either.

"Do not mistake for conspiracy and intrigue what can best be explained by stupidity and incompetence." - Unknown

Deputizing...

Submitted by security_six on Tue, 11/13/2007 - 4:17pm.

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=36.28.010 Sheriff's can in fact deputitze citizens RCW 36.28.010

6) Shall keep and preserve the peace in their respective counties, and quiet and suppress all affrays, riots, unlawful assemblies and insurrections, for which purpose, and for the service of process in civil or criminal cases, and in apprehending or securing any person for felony or breach of the peace, they may call to their aid such persons, or power of their county as they may deem necessary.

Note that breach of the peace is considered a reason to "call to their aid such persons...as they may deem necessary."

http://search.leg.wa.gov/pub/textsearch/ViewRoot.asp?Action=Html&Item=4&X=1113161118&p=1

Chief's of Police may deputize RCW35.23.161

Every citizen shall lend the police chief aid, when required, for the arrest of offenders and maintenance of public order. With the concurrence of the mayor, the police chief may appoint additional police officers to serve for one day only under orders of the chief in the preservation of public order.

The police chief shall have the same authority as that conferred upon sheriffs for the suppression of any riot, public tumult, disturbance of the peace, or resistance against the laws or the public authorities in the lawful exercise of their functions and shall be entitled to the same protection.

Washington State Constitution;

SECTION 24 RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS.
The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself, or the state, shall not be impaired, but nothing in this Section shall be construed as authorizing individuals or corporations to organize, maintain or employ an armed body of men.

Deputizing...

Submitted by security_six on Tue, 11/13/2007 - 7:08pm.

Duplicated post... hick up solved

Citizen's Arrest applies to

Submitted by Merwyn Haskett on Tue, 11/13/2007 - 3:57pm.

Citizen's Arrest applies to the Laws of the land, not the Laws of the nuts.

Please give me a second grace. Please give me a second face. I've fallen far down, the first time around, now I just sit on the ground in your way.
Nick Drake

Almonds or cashews?

Submitted by Sarah on Tue, 11/13/2007 - 7:05pm.

Forgive me Merwyn, I could not resist. :)

No forgiveness necessarily -

Submitted by Merwyn Haskett on Wed, 11/14/2007 - 6:52am.

No forgiveness necessarily - sometimes I can be a goober-nut myself.

Please give me a second grace. Please give me a second face. I've fallen far down, the first time around, now I just sit on the ground in your way.
Nick Drake

Laws

Submitted by Ehver Green on Tue, 11/13/2007 - 4:06pm.

I guess the laws of the land, the nation, the state, and this city don't apply to you. If I read you correctly do I have the right to place people sitting in the right-of-way under citizen's arrest? Did my aunt have the authority to place people under arrest when the dumpster was positioned directly in front of her car?

Deputy Merwyn, you with me?

Well, yes.

Submitted by Guglielmo on Tue, 11/13/2007 - 4:11pm.

you do have the right to make those arrests. It is up to you to act on your conscience.

We should split the populace

Submitted by Merwyn Haskett on Wed, 11/14/2007 - 6:54am.

We should split the populace into the Olympian People's Front and the People's Front of Olympia. I can be the lone member of the Popular People's Front of Olympia.

Please give me a second grace. Please give me a second face. I've fallen far down, the first time around, now I just sit on the ground in your way.
Nick Drake

Oooh!!

Submitted by security_six on Wed, 11/14/2007 - 9:38am.

If we are going to play with cool sounding revolutionary names, can I be the Peoples Revolutionary Comrade General of whatever popular front is going on today? I even have an old Soviet bolt action rifle, and a friend has an anemic little soviet revolver!! :-)

Would you like to borrow my

Submitted by Merwyn Haskett on Wed, 11/14/2007 - 9:41am.

Would you like to borrow my copy of The Communist Manifesto? If that's not your thing I have the first 41 books of Mack Bolan: The Executioner.

I read some Tao of Pooh and Te of Piglet last night.

Please give me a second grace. Please give me a second face. I've fallen far down, the first time around, now I just sit on the ground in your way.
Nick Drake

Mack Bolan

Submitted by security_six on Wed, 11/14/2007 - 9:57am.

Is not my cup of tea, prefer Clancy. Now if you have a copy of The Little Red Book, I will be rushing right over :-) Doesn't a revolutionary army need a lot of big cheap enameled medals to give out for any reason? "Order of the Loyal Latrine Cleaner First Class" and "Hero of Making Assembly On Time This Week"

Sorry, don't have that book.

Submitted by Merwyn Haskett on Wed, 11/14/2007 - 10:02am.

Sorry, don't have that book. I do have The Little Red Caboose...I collect kid books, so what?

Please give me a second grace. Please give me a second face. I've fallen far down, the first time around, now I just sit on the ground in your way.
Nick Drake

Close enough...

Submitted by security_six on Wed, 11/14/2007 - 5:11pm.

Little Red Book, Little Red Caboose, first two words are the same, works for me.

The citizens in Olympia are Revolting! (And Tacoma smells funny)

My Favorite Is

Submitted by JstPlnOnry on Wed, 11/14/2007 - 9:13pm.

"Where The Wild Things Are"! ;-)

"Understand, it's not always about being right. You can win every argument, but if it opens the door to turmoil, brings division, and tears you apart, in the end you didn't win at all - and you may have lost a lot." - Joel Osteen

Splitters!

Submitted by DrewHendricks on Wed, 11/14/2007 - 2:36pm.

Damn OPF and PFO and PPFO sectarians and their OMLOFP* allies.... grrr.

* Olympia Movement for the Liberation of Fuzzy Puppies

Who are you,

Submitted by Rob Richards on Wed, 11/14/2007 - 2:45pm.

Marx all of a sudden?

Karl, or Groucho?

Submitted by Norm on Wed, 11/14/2007 - 3:49pm.

Karl, or Groucho?

Richard. God help us.Please

Submitted by Merwyn Haskett on Wed, 11/14/2007 - 3:50pm.

Richard. God help us.

Please give me a second grace. Please give me a second face. I've fallen far down, the first time around, now I just sit on the ground in your way.
Nick Drake

"HOLD ON TO THE NIGHHHHTS

Submitted by Norm on Wed, 11/14/2007 - 3:51pm.

Hold On, to the MEEEEMORIES!! I Wish that I could GIIIVE You more......."

If I was a slimier man I'd

Submitted by Merwyn Haskett on Wed, 11/14/2007 - 3:53pm.

If I was a slimier man I'd put that song as the background to some of this week's videos.

Please give me a second grace. Please give me a second face. I've fallen far down, the first time around, now I just sit on the ground in your way.
Nick Drake

That would be rather slimy

Submitted by Norm on Wed, 11/14/2007 - 4:09pm.

I'd have to supress a chuckle though.

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