Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Wallowa County chieftain. (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Or.) 1943-current | View Entire Issue (July 20, 2016)
Wallowa County Chieftain News wallowa.com A3 July 20, 2016 New digs, program upgrade for 911 dispatch By Steve Tool Wallowa County Chieftain Wallowa County’s 911 dis- patch center is sitting pretty in its new home at the Wallowa County Justice Center in En- terprise. Director Ava Skillings said the former dispatch space was less than 75 square feet for two dispatchers to share on day- shift and virtually unprotected from the public. The computer program for the dispatch cen- ter also received an upgrade. The dispatch center now occupies a much larger space at 104 W. Greenwood St. that includes the front window at the justice center, which dis- patch also mans as part of a concession made to fund an- other position. FOR THE RECORD Dispatch log: Monday, July 11 8:54 a.m.: Horses loose in rural Enterprise. 9:17 a.m.: Missing dog in Enterprise. 10:09 a.m.: Two white German shorthairs with brown heads report- ed missing from rural Enterprise. 12:01 p.m.: 911 requesting an ambulance in Imnaha. 3:13 p.m.: 911 reporting a hit and run in Enterprise. 3:57 p.m.: Animal neglect reported in Wallowa. 8:54 p.m.: 911 reporting a possi- ble ire in the Troy area. Information given to La Grande Fire Dispatch. 10:51 p.m.: Domestic incident Steve Tool/Chieftain Dispatch Officer Becky Friend, left, and 911 Director Ava Skillings share a humorous moment in the new dispatch center. “We asked for another full- time position if we would take over the window duties. We had one person at 32 hours and he was allowed to go to 40 hours, and that’s when we really start- reported in Enterprise. 7:00 p.m.: Horses loose on Hurricane Creek. 7:56 p.m.: Violation of no-con- tact order in Enterprise. 10:13 p.m.: Trafic stop in Enterprise. 8:06 p.m.: 911 reporting lost hikers in rural Joseph. Located and returned to their vehicle. Tuesday, July 12 7:07 a.m.: 911 requesting an ambulance in Wallowa. 9:09 a.m.: Burglary reported in Wallowa. 4:25 p.m.: 911 requesting an ambulance in Enterprise. Wednesday, July 13 8:45 a.m.: 911 requesting an ambulance in Enterprise. 8:45 a.m.: Found female border collie with a black collar and long tail on the Imnaha Highway. Reunit- ed with owner. 11:36 a.m.: Disturbance in rural Joseph. 12:01 p.m.: Two found dogs in Wallowa reunited with owner. 2:14 p.m.: 911 reporting a speeding motorist in rural Joseph. 5:27 p.m.: Trafic stop in Enterprise. Thursday, July 14 8:27 a.m.: 911 calls reporting a civil dispute in rural Joseph, Friday, July 15 11:42 a.m.: 911 call requesting an ambulance in Joseph. 12:09 p.m.: Report of dead deer on Highway 3. Referred to ODOT. 8:38 p.m.: Disturbance reported in Wallowa. Christopher David Brandenburg, 35, of Wallowa was taken into custody by WCSO for three warrants out of Benson Coun- ty, Washington. Original charges are residential burglary, theft, and forgery. Mr. Brandenburg was transported to Umatilla County Jail. Saturday, July 16 9:31 a.m.: 911 request for an ambulance at Wallowa Lake. 11:22 a.m.: Trespassing com- plaint in Joseph. 12:11 p.m.: 911 call for an ambulance in Enterprise. 1:49 p.m.: Report of loose horses in rural Enterprise. 4:04 p.m.: 911 reporting a burglary in Lostine. 6:45 p.m.: Routine trafic stop in Joseph. 6:52 p.m.: Routine trafic stop in Joseph. 8:24 p.m.: Report of probation violation in Imnaha. Sunday, July 17 7:00 a.m.: Trafic complaint in Joseph. Sheriff’s ofice looking for reserves By Steve Tool Wallowa County Chieftain Wallowa County Sheriff Steve Rogers looks relaxed at his desk during one of his few spare moments, but he is con- cerned about a recent call for reserve deputies and the num- ber of respondents he received — none. “One kid showed up here for an application and I sent him over to (Administrative Services Director Brenda Mic- ka) to get an application, but I have not heard back from him,” Rogers said. The need for additional re- serve deputies started about a year ago when several left the force around the same time for various reasons. Then a full- time deputy suffered a heart at- tack, requiring several months of recovery time. An increase in criminal activity hasn’t helped the sit- uation. “We’ve had a lot of people move into this county over the last ive or six years who do not have the community’s best interests at heart,” Rog- ers said. “A lot of the calls we go on anymore take two men minimum because of the risk involved.” Rogers said he doesn’t mince words when discussing the inherent dangers of the job when interviewing candidates. “When I interview people, I tell them the straight-up truth. You want to make sure that anyone in here putting on a badge and strapping on a gun after a certain amount of train- ing is fully cognizant of the potential of things that could happen.” Depending on previous ex- perience, a person coming on the force in a reserve capacity likely will have four to ive months of classroom training before going on a modiied Field Training and Evaluation Program, which means riding with a full-time oficer for a period of time. Training times vary depending on the individ- ual’s performance and the dep- uty’s observations. Candidates are not allowed to strap on a gun for some time. Initial training involves an extended period of learning “use of force” rules. “You have to have a full grasp of the use of force,” Rogers said. “When you take the inal use of force test you have to score 100 percent to pass.” A thorough background check also is part of the pack- age. “You have to be pretty straight-up to get into this business,” Rogers said. Reserve deputies get paid, but not when in training with a full-time deputy. “A signiicant portion of the population thinks cops are overpaid security guards, and that couldn’t be farther from the truth,” Rogers said. “It’s a step-by-step process that takes some time, and the education and training level in this busi- ness is pretty high.” Saying common sense is the trait he values most, Rog- ers encourages both men and women to apply. ed talking about construction.” Skillings said. “We received a Wildhorse Foundation grant for the new front window and part of the ballistic (bullet-proof) wall we put in.” The space upgrade includ- ed knocking out a wall to unite the former dispatch center and the front window space. The front window was replaced with a smaller, bullet-proof window. During the construc- tion phase of the upgrades, the dispatch ofice was moved to a back room for several days. The 911 computer program update included improvements in administrative capabilities, larger monitors and enhance- ments to the mapping part of the program. Training for the new sys- tem took two days for the administrative element and each dispatcher trained for a full day between the 911 and mapping elements of the pro- gram upgrade. The mapping upgrade includes a more ef- icient signal inder for those using cellphones to call in an emergency. “If you get a call from a cell tower, you can click on it and get within a mile of the sig- nal,” Skillings said. “You can keep clicking and trying to get a closer location. Cellphones don’t give us the exact loca- tion.” The new 911 system went online June 15. “We haven’t had any major bugs in the system so far, and when we call Frontier (phone company) they get right here,” Skillings said. 7:46 a.m.: 911 requesting an ambulance in rural Enterprise. 10:16 a.m.: 911 call reporting a trafic accident in rural Wallowa. 11:13 a.m.: Dog found in Joseph. 2:26 p.m.: 911 requesting an ambulance in rural Enterprise. 3:59 p.m.: Lost wallet reported at Wallowa Lake Tram. The wallet was brought to the Justice Center and the owner was notiied. 5:01 p.m.: 911 reporting hay on Highway 82 in rural Joseph. 5:05 p.m.: 911 with a dog com- plaint at Wallowa Lake. 5:59 p.m.: 911 reporting a non-injury trafic crash on Hurricane Creek Road. 6:03 p.m.: Black and white female rat terrier reported lost in Enterprise. 6:59 p.m.: Loose cows reported in rural Wallowa. 10:03 p.m.: Noise complaint in Enterprise. 10:41 p.m.: Trafic complaint in rural Wallowa. STILL RUNNING OUT TO FETCH THE PAPER? 6 months $26.00 1year * $40.00 1year, online $40.00 Subscribe Today! 541-426-4567 • wallowa.com * $40.00 is the in county price, $57.00 for out of county subscribers. The Wallowa County Chieftain wallowa.com No matter what your business is, the Wallowa County Chieftain has the audience you need! We have many options to market your business in an affordable and effective manner. Call Jennifer Powell today! 541-426-4567 (office) or email jpowell@wallowa.com ELECTRICAL & PLUMBING SUPPLIES ELECTRICAL & WATER SYSTEM CONTRACTOR PUMPS • IRRIGATION HARDWARE• APPLIANCE PARTS Help us celebrate 25 years of attracting physicians to Wallowa County! 208 S. RIVER ST. • ENTERPRISE, OR www.jbbane.com • 541-426-3344 LAKE CITY PAINTING LLC INTERIOR & EXTERIOR • RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL We have received so much support from people in the county over the last 3 years. We want to give back with a charity paint job for a family in need. Anyone can send their story or someone else's story to: lakecitypainting@gmail.com johardoffice@gmail.com Text or call 907-903-1807 - Ryan 541-786-0659 - Justin 541-432-2271 - Joseph Hardware FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION • CCB#203293 • LICENSED, BONDED & INSURED Community BBQ and Square Dance Come celebrate 25 years of bringing doctors into Wallowa County! Winding Waters, the Wallowa Valley Health Care Foundation and Wallowa Memorial Hospital invite you to a community BBQ and square dance on Saturday, July 23rd from 5 to 10 pm at the Blue Barn. Tickets: $8 for adults, children 6 and under are free. Tickets available through July 21st at Winding Waters, Mountain View Medical, the Bookloft, Joseph Hardware, Blonde Strawberry, or M. Crow. Get your tickets today!