Sheriff Video

Grants Pass Now
A forum for civic mindedness and community wellness.

29th August 2008

posted in Featured Videos |

This entry was posted on Friday, August 29th, 2008 at 1:39 pm and is filed under Featured Videos. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

There are currently 9 responses to “Sheriff Video”

Why not let us know what you think by adding your own comment! Your opinion is as valid as anyone elses, so come on... let us know what you think.

1 On September 1st, 2008, Peggy Cowens said:
After viewing the graphic images of this video, the probable future of our community without adequate law enforcement is clear. Why wouldn’t citizens support this service? The facts are laid out for all to see.
2 On September 3rd, 2008, Gypsy said:
Finally! A comprehensive visual review of the LE problems that exit in Jo county. The naysayers can’t refute what is technically sound information.

There are no other methods for financing public safety at this time. Any methods which are discussed, be it timber dollars or new economic strategies, will NOT come to fruition for many years. Even if a short term levy option were put in place, we will pay double for that when no resolve is found in that “short term” period and it’s back to the drawing board. That will happen. There’s just not enough time to get to resolve in one or two years.

Why is it that no one has come up with a funding method that ensures some level of law enforcement. Not in 15 years nor in all the committees and meetings regarding this issue. The answer: The methods that have been suggested are not supported by the general public.

So, who has the answer to this problem that will be acceptable to the general populace? Will timber dollars help? Not for many years due to the length of time it will take in the court systems. Will the state bail us out? No. They’ve already stated in their commission report that the Jo County taxes are the lowest in the state and we need to take a hard look at helping ourselves. Across the state, it’s believed that Jo County residents demand services, but don’t want to pay for them. You can’t blame that logic when the neighboring counties are paying more than triple the Jo County $.58 per thousand and they are pulling themselves up by the bootstraps. They reopened their libraries and have law enforcement.

Again, with all the efforts placed on this situation, who has the answer to this funding problem? I’ve asked countless times, sat through many meetings only to hear their is no answer that’s been acceptable to all.

People need to fully understand the “real” ramifications due to this lack of funding and this video has accomplished a good part of that. Listen carefully….. this is your life, your family and your property that is addressed. It is not a “scare tactic”. It’s for real.

Put this funding in place and work on a permanent solution that does NOT include handouts from the federal or state government. That is what is expected and it’s going to take quite a while, and a lot of good folks working with the system, to make it happen. There are no more free rides with O&C funding. The State is NOT going to bail out the county to meet the needs that existed before the O&C dollars were eliminated.

For your family, your economic stability and the future of this county, please make the right decision in November.

Thank you to Grants Pass Now for presenting this info and giving us the opportunity to respond. Good job.
3 On September 5th, 2008, planetdancer said:
Thank you to the men and women of our S/O.
4 On September 6th, 2008, Paxmentis said:
Unfortunately, every ballot measure I have seen submitted by the S/O in the past elections has asked for money to expand. In the most recent election, the rationale for the measure included a major increase in staffing and scope and threatened to shut down patrol functions if it was not passed.

Administrators need to recognize that some compromise is needed between what the want and what they need, or voters will continue to refuse.
5 On September 7th, 2008, Ward Warren said:
When you look at your property tax bill, you’ll find that Josephine County receives a very small share of our annual property taxes and unfortunately, the timber revenues are gone.
We need to fund the DA’s office to prosecute, a staffed jail to incarcerate, and a functioning juvenile department, as well as deputies to respond to calls. Don’t be pennywise and pound-foolish: support
the levies this November. Public Safety is the first priority!
6 On September 8th, 2008, Darci said:
Great video! We need our Sheriffs! I’m doing everything I can to get this video out to the community. This video should also be posted on the county’s website.
7 On September 9th, 2008, JHBrock911 said:
To respond to Paxmentis:

I would have to disagree on the face of your argument. Both levy submitted to voters last year as well as the Districts proposed for this November seek to return the Sheriff’s Office staffing levels to those of fiscal year 2000/2001; a time most consider the Office to be ‘adequately’ staffed. While prior administrators did identify Patrol as one of the first areas to be cut during layoffs, Sheriff Gilbertson’s interpretation of Oregon Statutes mandates includes the patrol function as well as the Jail.

Moreover, if we look at the staffing standards of neighboring agencies, the numbers play out as follows:
Medford PD 1 Officer per 722 Residents
Grants Pass DPS 1 Officer per 1,071 Residents
Jackson Co. SO 1 Deputy per 2,321 Residents
Josephine Co. SO 1 Deputy per 5,149 Resident

Should the Districts receive voter approval in November, over a 7 to 8 year period the Sheriff’s Office will increase Patrol staffing to a total projected staff of 37 Deputies. This translates to 1 Deputy per 1,416 Residents. But more specifically, this allows the Sheriff’s Office to offer 24 hour, 7 day a week patrols - staffing levels that directly respond to the results of a Citizen’s Survey.

So, basically, the Sheriff’s Office is simply proposing a plan that allows the Office to provide the service that residents of Josephine County have already indicated they want.

Hope this give you peace of mind,
Jonathan
8 On September 9th, 2008, David Rees said:
It is time for our county commissioners and citizens to take our heads out ot the sand and recognize that the O & C funds are not available and may never come back. I have retired from a different law enforcement agency and have seen the problems that occur when citizens do not take an active part in their community (county) and the safety and security of their community. I have heard many of the arguments before that are given today as reasons not to fund law enforcement and fire fighters. It is time for the citizens of Josephine County to step up and protect themselves from bullies and criminals by funding the law enforcement community and fire fighters. Proper training and equipment is our best defense against all the potential catastrophies that always occur with out warning. This video is a soft presentation of what law enforcement is about. Are the criminals in control or trying to take control of this county? It sometimes seems that way, especially when the citizens do not support the necessities of these agencies. Well trained and supported agencies are our best insurance and cost pennies compared to the alternatives. It is time for all to take their head out of the sand, take a fresh breath and support the ballot measure. Our welfare monies have dried up and it is time for us to step up and support our selves. Having lived for 23 years in a resort community, I know that taxes do NOT keep tourist away when you have what they want. This ballot measure is good for all. If a sales tax is offered it should be applied accros the board, not to narrow and specific businesses. Yes, it is a pain to do accounting of the sales taxes, but it is worth it to keep a stable, safe and active community and way of life.
9 On September 9th, 2008, Gil Gilbertson said:
SHERIFF GILBERTSON’S RESPONSE TO PAXMENTIS’ (COMMENT #4)

First, I appreciate the comment/question(s).

The Josephine County Sheriff’s Department does not believe in shutting down patrol. In fact, we strongly believe in saving as much patrol as possible, given our means - when you call for help, it is our duty to respond. However, patrol coverage is directly proportional to funding.

The reality is we simply do not have enough employees to carry the load or meet the expectations of public demand. In the year 2000, there were approximately 118 employees. Today, we’re down to 78 employees and by the time we divide them up to carry the loads and requirements to run county wide Public Safety operations it leaves us with 16 patrol deputies - that is not enough to provide 24/7 coverage.

This is the reality of continuous budget cuts on the Josephine County Sheriff’s Department. The current tax districts still fall short of what national standards would call an ‘adequately staffed’
department. Concessions were made in this regard when deriving the cost per thousand in our current proposal.

Another issue is officer safety. There have been cases where an officer was killed in the line of duty and the surviving family of the deceased officer sued the agency for not providing an adequate level of protection/safety for that fallen officer - which in turn, cost the taxpayers millions of dollars.

Unfortunately, no matter what the issues, we understand some people will vote “no” regardless of the consequences. That being said, we are and will remain, committed to providing this community the best service possible. As the Sheriff of Josephine County, I am obligated to provide public information regarding the impact budget cuts have on the public’s safety. Unfortunately, some misconstrue the intent to making threats. Again, we strongly believe in saving as much patrol as possible - when you call for help, it is our responsibility to respond.
We need adequate resources to accomplish this mission.

Regards,
Gil