By RYAN LANCASTER
Staff Reporter
Medical Lake council members had the opportunity Tuesday to tell Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich their thoughts on how Spokane County deputies have performed since taking over the city's law enforcement last November.
Knezovich listened to concerns over occasional missed calls and a perceived lack of police presence but said until recently he was unaware the problems even existed and that he needs specific information to deal with them.
Knezovich pointed to a 6-month countywide incident report showing deputy arrests in Medical Lake compared to other cities the county patrols. From January through June, 2010 Medical Lake saw 261 arrests, including criminal citations.
“This shows that deputies in your community are outperforming many deputies in other jurisdictional boundaries – within the top 10 percent,” the Sheriff said.
“It's really nice to see something that actually tells us something because honestly, as a council person, I've felt like I've been paying for something but had no proof,” council woman Brenda Redell told Knezovich.
The council meeting also saw approval of an update to the 6-year transportation plan after a short public hearing. As required by the Washington State Department of Transportation the plan prioritizes city street projects. In 2011 projects include a $125,000 overlay of San Salvador Street near the new state veterans cemetery, a $400,000 reconstruction of Howard Street and the $330,000 construction of sidewalks along SR 902 between Stanley Street and the eastern city limits. City administrator Doug Ross said the projects are subject to change and all are reliant on grants.
Also approved was an agreement with the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs allowing the sale of irrigation water to the state veterans cemetery. The cemetery will pay $1.25 per 1,000 gallons of reclaimed water pumped from West Medical Lake.
Ryan Lancaster can be reached at [email protected].
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