Six-year property tax would raise $800,000 for law enforcement, one-third going vs. drugs

LONG BEACH – The Long Beach City Council Monday approved supporting a ballot measure to run a Criminal Justice Levy including 30 percent of the money being targeted for a drug task force.

Pacific County Commissioner Jon Kaino brought the measure before the Council saying that up to 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation would go toward Criminal Justice spending and 15 cents of the levy would specifically go to drug enforcement. Kaino said the money would help replace funds lost from decreased motor vehicle excise taxes.

The levy would be for a six years and potentially raise $800,000 for law enforcement, with $240,000 going specifically for a drug task force.

Sheriff John Didion explained how his officers were already “stretched” and that 40-some burglaries have occurred in the Ocean Park area alone this year. The sheriff said that statistically as many as 80 percent of all property crimes are drug-related.

“The last time we had 57 felony drug arrests in four months,” Didion explained of a previous drug enforcement crackdown. “The big difference this time is that we will be better funded,” he said. “This task force will work.”

Members of county and city police departments, Washington State Patrol, U.S. Coast Guard, and Fish and Wildlife personnel will all work together with prosecutors if the levy passes.

“Instead of two or three people working on a drug bust, we will have 20 to 30 people working together,” Didion said. “If we vote for the levy we will be able to deal with the drug dealers. Right now we cannot,” Didion related. Mayor Ken Ramsey polled councilmen Gordon Zuern, Ralph Moore, Mike Unruh and Fred Cook and the vote was unanimous in favor of the measure.

In other news, the Long Beach Ambulance Association donated two portable automatic defibrillators to the LB Fire Department and to the LB Sheriff’s Department. Captain Mike Nurkowski presented the machines to fireman David Unruh and officer Jeff Cutting.

The defibrillators will be available 24 hours a day for use by those first on scene. A four-hour training course is all that is needed to use the life-saving devices according to Nurkowski.

In other items Cook said the stamp dedication ceremony was a success. “I even purchased some stamps,” he joked. Moore pointed out that Flint Wright was attending Police Chief School and had earned certification to teach hunter safety courses.

Design review approved two buildings and six signs. A very lengthy discussion followed, and Mayor Ramsey told the audience that the council has the responsibility to be fair and equitable in following all the ordinances, including those concerning signage.

The council was reminded to post when Planning Commission meetings were being held as per statute and was requested to post the council agenda.

There was a discussion to move the Lewis and Clark Tree. Unruh stated, “It’s just too difficult to get to.” There was a request to develop a fire management plan as the dune area is becoming more and more overgrown with highly-flammable pine trees. Both matters will be dealt with, according to Ramsey.

June 10-12 interviews for the city administrator position vacated by Nabiel Shawa will take place. At present, five candidates will be interviewed.