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About Hermiston herald. (Hermiston, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 20, 2016)
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2016 HERMISTONHERALD.COM • A7 COMMENTARY/RECORDS Police, public deserve credit for making city safe H ermiston is a safe small city. Most objective observers would likely come to the same conclusion by looking at the Hermiston Police Department’s crime report for 2015. And it was certainly safer in 2015 than it has been over the last de- cade. For instance, there were only 21 violent crimes re- ported in 2015, the lowest number in any year since 2006, except for 2013. That year, only 16 violent crimes were reported. The normal range of violent crime inci- dents over the decade was 26 to 59, with an average of 42 violent crimes a year. But of course, not all crimes or violent incidents get reported. Victims of do- mestic abuse or rape don’t always call police. The most common crime in the largest city in Eastern Oregon last year was lar- ceny; i.e., theft of proper- ty. There were 413 larceny crimes reported last year. That’s a rate of one larceny crime for every 2.4 percent of the population. If all crimes in the city re- ported to Hermiston Police (524) were spread out even- ly, it would mean 3 percent of the population was a vic- tim of crime. But safety is about more than numbers. If you agree that Hermiston is a safe city it is because you feel safe here. If you were recently a victim of crime, you proba- bly don’t see Hermiston as safe. When I moved back to tors to my complex and the Oregon in 2005, I moved surrounding neighborhood. In March of 2010 there into a neighborhood in northeast Salem that didn’t was a gun battle between a have the greatest reputation. burglary suspect and police of¿cers that left one But I didn’t ¿nd that of¿cer wounded and out until I had signed the suspect dead that my lease. There were started about a block things I liked a lot from my apartment about the neighbor- complex and ended hood. I could walk to near the entrance to several restaurants, my complex. a grocery store, drug 1ot the de¿nition store and several Gary L. West of a safe neighbor- mini-markets and oth- SHADES hood. er businesses within OF GRAY The Hermiston a few blocks of the apartment complex. And I area’s low rate of crime is walked to those places quite an attractive quality. That a bit. But there were times doesn’t mean we should I didn’t always feel safe on make it easy for opportunis- those walks, particularly at tic thieves to take advantage. One of Hermiston Po- night. I was never a victim of crime in my neighborhood, lice Chief Jason Edmiston’s but police were regular visi- goals going forward is to take steps to educate the pub- lic on ways to avoid becom- ing a victim of crime. That’s an important goal and a reminder that our com- munity’s safety is not just the responsibility of law en- forcement. We, as citizens play a huge role in our own safety and security. Lock your doors and win- dows. Don’t leave your car running and unlocked when you are warming it up in the morning or just running into the store to pick something up quickly. Don’t believe everything you read in email messages and online posts promising you money for a favor. And don’t believe ev- ery phone call you get (par- ticular from out of the area numbers) saying you owe the IRS or someone else money. Be careful. Be skeptical. Be smart. Act safe and be safe. Thank your neighbors for contributing to your safety. When you see local law enforcement of¿cers at work in our community, thank them for helping to keep us as safe as we can ever expect to be in an unpredictable world. But don’t forget to smile, because you will also be on a very candid police body camera. Gary L. West is editor of the Hermiston Herald and Hermiston editor for the East Oregonian. Reach him at gwest@hermistonher- ald.com or follow him on Twitter @GaryLWest or on Facebook at www.facebook. com/journalist.glwest. GUEST COMMENT New fire district just makes sense S everal years ago the Hermiston Fire and Emergency Services District and the Stan¿eld Rural Fire Protection District began working and training together to provide more effective emergency and non-emergency service to our citizens, increased safety to our responders and a reasonable cost of service. As the cost of personnel, training, apparatus, equipment and supplies escalated faster than revenues, the two departments were ¿nding it dif¿cult to stay abreast of rapidly increasing call volume. The districts commissioned an independent study, released in June 2012, to determine the best course of action to keep the services viable in the future. The study concluded that by 2017 both districts would be substantially in the red if reve- COURT: continued from Page A5 ed and $370.15 restitution, plus court costs and fees. •Pedro Antonio Covarrubias Espain, 21, Hermiston, pleaded guilty to Driving While Suspended; sentenced to 3 days jail, 180 days jail-suspended, 3 years pro- bation, and $1,940 fine, plus court costs and fees. •Phillip Andrew Williams, 51, Stan- field, pleaded guilty to Driving While Suspended; sentenced to 20 days jail and $1,940 fine, plus court costs and fees. •Jose Luis Arevalo, 53, Umatilla, pleaded guilty to Driving While Suspend- ed; sentenced to 180 days jail-suspended, 2 years probation, 80 hours community service and $1,940 fine, plus court costs and fees. •Fernando Martinez Ceniceros, 29, nues and expenses continued at the and form one new district at a new then-current pace stating, “Chang- tax rate that would provide solubility es in spending practices will be for the foreseeable future. Whether necessary, potentially including the new district will be formed is making dif¿cult service-delivery what the voters must decide in May. As our communities grow, the decisions.” The study also pointed demand for ¿re and emer- out that additional ¿nancial gency medical services is resources could make those going to continue to increase. dif¿cult decisions unneces- Even now, there are occa- sary. While HFES had high- sional delays in response be- er costs with career as well cause of multiple calls during as volunteer personnel, SFD the same time period. So far, was ¿nding it more and more there have been no detrimen- dif¿cult to maintain an ade- tal outcomes because of the quate number of trained and Scott Stanton delays; but, as we empty the available volunteers. The Hermiston station more often for ¿re full study is available from Fire and and ambulance calls, it is the HFES website at www. Emergency inevitable that a delay in re- hermiston¿re.com. Services sponse will cause loss of life The study identi¿ed 21 or property. interim strategies that would Combining the districts at a yield economic or operational ef¿- ciencies and the districts continue new rate of $1.75 per $1,000 of to implement those strategies. Ul- assessed value will allow us to add timately, however, the study recom- staf¿ng and have people on duty at mended the two districts dissolve the Cable station (Diagonal Road) Irrigon, pleaded no contest to Failure to Appear II; sentenced to 14 days jail and $40 fine, plus court assessment. •Glenn Eric Knudsen, 54, Hermiston, pleaded guilty to Theft II; sentenced to 180 days jail-suspended, 2 years proba- tion, 40 hours community service, $190 fine and $1,500 fine-suspended, plus court costs and fees. •Pedro Antonio Munoz Sanguino, 36, Hermiston, pleaded guilty to Driving While Suspended and Felon in Posses- sion of Restricted Weapon; sentenced to 180 days jail-suspended, 2 years proba- tion, 80 hours community service, $940 fine and $750 fine-suspended for each count, plus court costs and fees. •Alexander Christian Ringe, 26, Hermiston, pleaded guilty to Theft II; sen- tenced to 40 days jail, 180 days jail-sus- pended, 3 years probation, 40 hours community service, $140 fine and $800 fine-suspended, plus court costs and fees; pleaded guilty to Failure to Appear II; sentenced to 180 days jail-suspended, 3 years probation, 40 hours community service and $40 fine, plus court costs and fees. •Marisela Lopez Chavez, 21, Hermis- ton, pleaded guilty to Criminal Mischief II; sentenced to 60 days jail-suspended, 2 years probation, 60 hours community service, $440 fine, $500 fine-suspended and $225 restitution, plus court costs all the time. Those additional po- sitions will allow quicker response to emergencies in the east and south ends of the district and pro- vide critical backup for the city and west side of the district. No one will pay more than an additional 55 cents per $1,000 for the added protection, and the east end of the district will see quicker responses. On a $200,000 home, the added tax would be $110.00 per year or less than $9.17 per month. This is the ¿rst time voters have been asked for additional funds in the ¿re dis- tricts 65 year history. Besides additional personnel, the new rate will allow adequate funding of our equipment reserve account so that when it is time to purchase replacement ambulances, cardiac monitors and ¿re apparatus the money will be available and we will not have to borrow funds or place a bond measure before the voters. A ¿re engine can cost and fees; pleaded guilty to Disorderly Conduct II; sentenced to 60 days jail-sus- pended, 2 years probation, $40 fine and $400 fine-suspended, plus court assess- ment. Divorces Divorce decrees were signed in Uma- tilla County Courts for: Sonja Pullen and Robert Pullen; Ricar- do Martinez Dominguez and Maria Guada- lupe Martinez Lozano; Rebecca Ann Rash and Clarence Richard Rash; Kevin Wayne Benham and Cristy Capitan Benham; Rob- ert M. Harris and Melinda J. Harris; Holly May Britt and Jaylee Patrick Britt. MARRIAGES Marriage licenses have been regis- tered in Umatilla County for: Ethan Lee Parks, 25, and Taylor Anne Godier, 24, both of Hermiston. Mario Alberto Ramirez Navarrete, 25, and Adriana Rosales Sanchez, 21, both of Hermiston. SELF DEFENSE Fully Digital Enya 3 Series Hearing Aid Now $ Only upwards of $500,000 and a new ambulance $170,000 or more. Our most pressing need is replacing our cardiac monitors with a price tag of over $220,000. A reserve account allows us to save money to make these purchases in the future, and with current revenues that account is underfunded. Combining the two districts just makes sense when you have the facts. The new district will have increased funding to maintain sol- vency into the future and additional personnel to reduce delays in ser- vice and provide quicker service to our rural residents in the east end of the district. Get the facts. Go to the HFES website at www.herm- iston¿re.com or talk to a ¿re¿ghter or board member. You can also call the main station at 541-567-8822 and speak with someone. Scott Stanton is the chief for Hermiston Fire and Emergency Services. 995 • Enhances Speech • Reduces Noise Call 541-276-3155 Ruud’s Hearing Aid Service Sale price valid on the Resound Enya 3 series. Limit two at the promotional price. No other offers or discounts apply. Discount does not apply to prior sales. Offer expires January 29, 2016. Learn a full range of self-defense techniques, including: Awareness, home security, verbal de-escalation, evading and escaping maneuvers. This is a contact class. Age 12 and up. Class size is limited to 20 students. Must pre-register. Call 541-667-3509. January 28 • 6:00 - 8:00pm GSMC Conference Center 2 HEALTHY FRIDAYS Free health screenings: Blood pressure checks, weigh-ins, body mass index, cholesterol and glucose. First Friday of each month 9:30 - 11:30am Third Friday of each month 2:00-4:00pm GSMC Conference Center 7 (by Education Dept) TAI CHI - MOVING FOR BETTER BALANCE FREE class to work on balance, strengthen muscles, improve posture and core strength and reduce stress. Great for all ages! Mondays • 10:30-11:15am GSMC Wellness Center (behind the hospital) THERA-BANDS BASIC MOVES Help tone and strengthen muscles, improve posture, and reduce stress. We use resistance bands for a flexibility workout that increases overall health. Class is free. Thera-bands are $5 each. Tuesdays & Thursdays • 9:00 - 9:30am GSMC Wellness Center (behind the hospital) BANDS AND BEYOND Learn strength training exercises and improve balance using free-weights, stability balls, Thera- bands and more. Wear comfortable shoes and clothes. Class is free. Thera-bands are $5 each. Tuesdays & Thursdays • 9:30 - 10:00am GSMC Wellness Center (behind the hospital) QUIT TOBACCO Have you tried to quit tobacco, but found you needed support? Contact our tobacco cessation specialist to schedule your free consultation. Group sessions can also be scheduled by employers. Call 541-667- 3509 for more info or to schedule an appointment. For information or to register for a class, call (541) 667-3509 or email healthinfo@gshealth.org
