Guest commentary by Sheriff Elfo to the Bellingham Herald  

Feb16, 2012:

No longer limited to neighborhood graffiti, school yard fights and petty thievery, gang activity has significantly impacted public safety and our quality of life. Once isolated to major metropolitan areas, gangs rapidly extended their network of criminal enterprises, violence and intimidation to communities of all sizes.

Whatcom County experienced increases in both gang activity and the level of organization and sophistication with which they operate. Local gangs are responsible for trafficking in narcotics, firearms and stolen property as well as assaults, robberies, witness tampering and murders. Over the past year, a series of violent shootings reminded us of the dangers gangs pose to law-biding citizens.

The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office adopted standardized gang classification criteria and identified 42 gangs with more than 400 members. While gangs in Whatcom County vary in ideology, ethnicity and origin, most are affiliated with larger regional or nationwide organizations. The expansion of gang activity into Whatcom County is driven by a variety of factors including illegal profits, our nexus with the international border and the presence of disaffected and vulnerable youth.

While other Washington communities experienced more dramatic impacts from increased gang activity, it is essential to maintaining our quality of life and safety that our citizens are aware of the extent and nature of this problem. Suppressing gang activity requires strategies of enforcement, intervention and prevention as well as a commitment of no tolerance. It is important that the community understands this problem and supports efforts to eradicate it.
To combat gangs, local, state and federal law enforcement must coordinate efforts and share information. Systems for identifying and classifying gangs and gang members allow law enforcement to direct limited resources to those individuals and organizations representing the highest risk to public safety. It also provides prosecutors with the information needed to seek enhanced penalties for gang-related crimes.

Dismantling and discouraging local gangs and gang activity requires enforcement efforts directed at all level of gang organizations. Working with all local police departments, the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office coordinates and deploys street-level enforcement operations. A recent operation resulted in the arrests of 20 wanted gang members and affiliates on charges ranging from escape, theft, and narcotics to weapons violations, child molestation and the failure to register as sex offenders.

The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office refocused its Northwest Regional Drug Task Force toward gang-related drug and firearms trafficking. It recently co-located the task force with the local DEA office for the purpose of conducting joint strategic investigations into the leadership and activities of complex criminal gang organizations. Recent successes include the arrest of the head of “The Hated,” a white supremacist organization that was heavily involved in methamphetamine and heroin distribution, firearm violations, property crime, fraud and the corruption of a public official.

Other segments of the criminal justice system are working with law enforcement to increase focus on gang members. The Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office prioritized the prosecution of identified gang members, and a seasoned Whatcom County sheriff’s detective works with prosecutors to help ensure serious gang crimes are thoroughly investigated and witnesses are not intimidated from cooperating.

The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office formed a partnership with the state Department of Corrections that co-located a community-corrections officer within the Sheriff’s Office to focus on serious habitual criminals released from prison under state supervision. Many gang members unlawfully entered the United States, and the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office coordinates with the Department of Homeland Security to ensure their removal once sentences are served.

While law enforcement continues to focus on arresting and building solid cases against gang members, prevention remains a critical component of our community’s gang response. A sheriff’s deputy works with educators and community groups to increase awareness of the presence of gangs and their activities.

The Whatcom Community and Family Network and the county Health Department are seeking to partner with nonprofits to develop prevention strategies that include providing mentorships, after-school activities and other options that will help adolescents avoid being lured into the destructive and often inescapable gang lifestyle and culture.

With the community’s support, the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office will continue to lead efforts to drive this menace from Whatcom County.

Bill Elfo is the Whatcom County Sheriff.

Read more here: http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2012/02/15/2395921/whatcom-view-sheriffs-office-targeting.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2012/02/15/2395921/whatcom-view-sheriffs-office-targeting.html#storylink=cpy

By:  Sheriff Bill Elfo

Whatcom County Sheriff’s Deputy Jason Karb was recently selected by the WA State Department of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) as the 2011 “Law Enforcement Gold Medal” recipient.  Nominations were solicited from VFW posts around the state.  Deputy Karb was nominated by the William J. Matthews Post 1585 in Bellingham.  Deputy Karb will now be considered for a national level award.

Deputy Karb, a life-long Whatcom County resident, has served as a Whatcom County Law Enforcement Deputy for six years and as a Corrections Deputy for two years.  He previously served as a police officer with the Western Washington University Police Department.  Deputy Karb, an Eagle Scout, served in the United States Marine Corps as a Presidential Security Specialist/Military Policeman assigned to Marine One (Helicopter Unit) accompanying President George H.W. Bush and President Bill Clinton during official travel.

Deputy Karb has consistently excelled in every task he has undertaken as a Deputy Sheriff and volunteered to move his family to the Kendall area to serve as a resident deputy. He accepted responsibility for bringing order to an area suffering from the effects of crime and intimidation from local thugs.  Deputy Karb’s approach was to build a program of solid enforcement and community partnerships.  Working with the local crime watch, Deputy Karb cultivated trust and support.  Targeting habitual and career criminals who frequented the area, he arrested an extraordinary and unparalleled 564 criminals over his four year assignment.

In 2007, Deputy Karb was instrumental in implementing a Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard.  Drawing on his military experience, he assisted with personnel selection, equipment and training for the newly formed unit.  From 2008-2010, the Honor Guard represented the Sheriff’s Office at memorial services for eight fallen Washington State Law Enforcement Officers. 

The Honor Guard recently attended the National Law Enforcement Memorial during Law Enforcement Memorial Week to honor the tenth anniversary of the line of duty death of Deputy Matt Herzog.  The Herzog family was in attendance for a wreath laying and candlelight service in which the Honor Guard participated.  The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard placed tenth in the nation during an Honor Guard competition.  Not only was Deputy Karb instrumental in providing leadership to the Honor Guard but also worked to help raise private donations that made the trip possible.

Deputy Karb’s file is replete with commendations for numerous acts evidencing his commitment to the community and the Sheriff’s Office that range from arresting a dangerous criminal while off-duty to raising funds to replace property stolen from the Boy Scouts.

Sheriff Bill Elfo’s letter to the VFW nominating Deputy Karb and detailing his worthiness for this award is attached.

 2010 Karb VFW Letter

By Sheriff Bill Elfo

In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as National Peace Officer’s Memorial Week. Beginning on May 13th, law enforcement and corrections Officers from around our nation will gather at the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C. where the names of the 19,298 officers killed in the line-of-duty are carved into the memorial wall.

The names appearing on the wall include Whatcom County Deputy Sheriff Matt Herzog and 272 other officers from Washington State who made the ultimate sacrifice. September 13, 2011 will mark the tenth anniversary of Deputy Herzog’s death.

To honor Deputy Herzog and all fallen officers, the Sheriff’s Office will be represented at the Memorial by its Honor Guard. Ceremonies will include placing a wreath near Deputy Herzog’s name.

The Sheriff’s Office’s participation was made possible through generous donations from employees, citizens, organizations and the Sheriff’s Foundation. On behalf of all members of the Sheriff’s Office, thank you.

As we honor the dead, we must support and pray for those who put their lives on the line every day. As a scripture on the memorial reflects, “”The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are as bold as a lion.” – Proverbs 28:1

Sheriff Bill Elfo

By Sheriff Bill Elfo

The Uniformed Crime Report (UCR) is collected from participating law enforcement agencies and published by the FBI.  The UCR identifies eight “Part I Crimes”: murder, rape, robbery, arson, burglary, and larceny and auto theft.” It calculates a “crime rate” to reflect the numbers of each of those crimes per 1,000 residents. The information is reported to the law enforcement agency with primary responsibility.

Sheriff’s Offices rates are generally based on the unincorporated area of the county.  Because of responsibilities that are beyond that population,  it often includes cases that occur in county facilities including the jail and courts. Some offenses that occur within the boundaries of cities and involve non-tribal members on Indian reservations are also included.

The Sheriff’s Office has worked to reduce crime and ensure more patrol deputies are on the street where and when they are most needed.  The neighborhood deputy and criminal interdiction teams have focused on reversing emerging crime issues, violence associated with drug trafficking and gang activity.  A crime analyst reviews crime trends and provides information to all law enforcement officers in the County so habitual criminals can be prioritized and problems can be proactively addressed.

In late 2006, the removal of restrictions that prevented jailing many offenders was eliminated due to the opening of the Interim Jail Work Center and offenders were again held accountable for their crimes.

Over the past five years, Part I crimes reported to the Sheriff’s Office have dropped dramatically and in most categories, the rate of decrease has exceeded state and county-wide rates.  The overall properly crime rate dropped 40.7% and the overall violent crime rate dropped 6.3%.

Simple assault is classified as a UCR “Part II” crime and includes many instances of domestic violence.  From 2005 to 2010, the rate of simple assaults reported to the Sheriff’s Office dropped 37%.

After five years of declining crime rates, the Sheriff’s Office saw an increase in crime from 2009-2010.  Violent crime rose 4.3% and property crime rose 6.8%.  This took place when declining economic conditions caused severe budget cuts. This resulted in less availability of deputy sheriffs due to mandated hiring freezes that prevented filling vacant positions, furloughs of personnel and an inability to move funding for vacant positions to backfill with existing personnel.  It also coincided with state correctional policies that resulted in offenders with a high probability of re-offending being released into our communities without services or supervision. In addition, there were huge reductions in the availability of mental health services.

While crime rates are affected by a variety of social and economic policies and events, targeted law enforcement programs to reduce crime have been successful.  While the Sheriff’s Office is unable to fill vacant deputy sheriff positions due to a County hiring freeze, deputies are no longer furloughed.  A partnership with the State Department of Corrections resulted in the assignment of a Community Corrections Officer to work in the Sheriff’s Office and coordinate on crimes committed by high-risk offenders that have been released from prison. Your Sheriff’s Office will continue to make the best use of resources to ensure the safety of the community.

By Sheriff Bill Elfo

Whatcom County reaps many economic, cultural and social benefits from its proximity to the Canadian border.  However, the presence of the international border presents unique challenges to law enforcement and the rest of our criminal justice system.

In two separate incidents in March, sheriffs’ deputies seized over 140 lbs. of cocaine on I-5 that was destined for Canada.  The Sheriff’s Office arrests over 50 wanted fugitives a year at or near the border. Others wanted for murder, kidnapping and weapons violations were apprehended while trying to flee into Canada.  Last year, a warehouse full of sophisticated weaponry was seized by deputies and federal law enforcement from a storage facility in Ferndale that resulted in the arrest of an international arms trafficker. Terrorists have also been captured in our community as evidenced by the arrest of Abu Mezer in Blaine, who conspired to bomb the New York City subway system.

Federal officials routinely defer the prosecution of criminals apprehended by federal law enforcement to the local criminal justice system.   For years, local taxpayers have bourn the expense of arresting, jailing, prosecuting and often defending these criminals.  The only other choice is to turn these offenders  loose in our community and create a haven for criminal activity.

The Sheriff’s Office is further challenged to protect critical infrastructure that  includes two major oil refineries, a large aluminum smelter, two major dams providing hydro-electricity, a major railway link between the U.S. and Canada and propane/butane storage facilities.  The presence of a commercial airport and 90 miles of border in a 2150 square mile county raise vulnerabilities and the need for adequate law enforcement capabilities.

In 2007, I testified before a committee of the United States House of Representatives on Homeland Security on the need for federal assistance in developing systems to enhance communications and information sharing among local, state and federal authorities as well as costs associated with arresting, prosecuting and defending offenders whose crimes have a nexus with the border.  County Executive Kremen, County Prosecutor McEachran and our federal Congressional delegation  were helpful in acquiring some of the needed resources to allow incremental progress.

However, continued funding for the coordination center has not been appropriated. Funding to pay the costs of federal impacts at the northern border appear to be in jeopardy. Representative Rick Larsen recently addressed this issue in a letter to DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano: “Your decision to completely eliminate this funding stream is especially concerning given the recent GAO report (see Report at http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-97 )highlighting security issues along the Northern Border and legislation passed in the previous Congress that mandated enhanced cooperation between federal, state and local law enforcement.”

It is essential that our community maintain a professional and well-coordinated local, state and federal response to border-crime and terrorism and continue with the progress that has been made towards enhancing communications and information sharing. The Sheriff’s Office performs a critical function in keeping the border areas safe. It cannot do this without the necessary resources.

Chief Corrections Deputy Wendy Jones and Sheriff Bill Elfo

The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office operates one of the most robust jail alternative programs in the State.  These programs incorporate aspects of restorative justice and provide offenders with the opportunity to develop work skills and habits, maintain their jobs, continue to support their families, and serve their sentence in a less restrictive manner without exposure to some of the more hardened criminals who are housed at the main jail.  These programs also lower incarceration costs and require offenders to contribute to the cost of their participation.

Electronic Home Detention (EHD):  Offenders allowed to serve sentences on EHD are monitored through an electronic bracelet that is worn on their ankles.  Offenders in this program are generally confined to their homes but are allowed to go to work, school or treatment.  Candidates for EHD must be granted permission by the sentencing judge to participate in the program and meet Sheriff’s Office standards for participation.  Offenders are required to pay for the cost of this program.

Work Release/School Release:  Offenders in this program are housed in the Jail Work Center but are allowed to leave for work or school.  To participate in this program, offenders must be granted permission by the sentencing judge and meet legal and Sheriff’s Office standards for participation.  Offenders are required to pay a percentage of their gross income to cover the cost of their incarceration and supervision.  Offenders who attend school are required to pay a flat fee.

Out of Custody Work Crews: Out-of-Custody work crews live in their homes, but report to the Jail Work Center 5 days a week to work on a variety of projects. Most projects involve work in the County’s Parks System. Offenders assigned to this program are frequently working off fines they cannot pay.  This eliminates the old practice of “pay or stay” where offenders remain jailed if they could not pay fines.

In Custody Work Crews: In Custody work crews are housed at the Jail Work Center and work a 40 hour week.  We currently have 7 in-custody work crews that perform a variety of tasks such as litter pick up along County roads and state highways, maintenance of the lawns and landscaping on all County buildings, trail and campsite maintenance in the Mt. Baker National Forest lands, stream and salmon habitat restoration, and a small jail industry program of propagating and selling native plants, the profits of which go into the County General Fund.

The Sheriff’s Office contracts with a variety of governmental and non-profit entities to provide labor, which generates revenues that help off-set the cost of the crews.  It is estimated that the crew will generate approximately $500,000 in revenue for 2011 that will help off-set the cost of their incarceration.  The Sheriff’s Office also makes the crews available to help with community projects at no charge.  This has include the building of Million Smiles Park in Lynden, the moving of the Opportunity Council offices, annual clean up at the Northwest Washington Fairgrounds, and the annual clean up of the area used by the Relay for Life walk in downtown Bellingham and in Birch Bay after the Fourth of July.  In return for working, the crew members are given additional time off of their sentences.

Sheriff Bill Elfo

By: Sheriff Bill Elfo

Whatcom County Executive Pete Kremen has asked the Whatcom County Law and Justice Council to examine issues relating to the location, design and size of a new jail “as soon as possible so that [the County] can move forward to meet the critical needs of the criminal justice system in Whatcom County.”

In his extensive request, the Executive further asked the Law and Justice Council “incorporate information presented at two public meetings held to deal with building a new jail”.  He also wants the Law and Justice Council to make recommendations on jail alternatives, jail diversion programs and the establishment of a fully functional mental health triage center.

After conferring with Council members and citizens, including those with the “Right Size Jail” group, Executive Kremen indicated that he will support a Resolution establishing a Jail Planning Committee within the Law and Justice Council.  This committee will include citizen members with expertise in architecture, commercial real estate and the construction of commercial projects.

[Read more...]

Sheriff Bill Elfo

Jaculine J. Mitchell, Whatcom County Health Department and Sheriff Bill Elfo

The percentage of inmates housed in jail with diagnosed mental health issues ranges from 12-26% of the total jail population on any given day. Last year 7800 people were booked into jail and over 2700 were referred for mental health services. For many individuals, the first time that they are diagnosed with a mental disorder is the first time that they are booked into jail. Although the data reflects total bookings and referrals that may include some repeat bookings and services for the same person, it demonstrates the tremendous volume of work which takes place in the jail on behalf of people with mental illness.

Many offenders are stabilized after receiving jail-based mental health services. However, once released back into the community, treatment often stops and results in another crime and another arrest that is at least partially driven by the person’s untreated mental illness.

Reductions in community based mental health programs have made this situation worse. The federal exclusion rule exacerbates the problem because it suspends Medicaid/Medicare benefits for mental health services once a recipient is booked into jail. Not only are treatment costs transferred to the local government for the period of incarceration, but many offenders lack the wherewithal to re-enroll in these programs once released, and don’t receive needed mental health services in the community.

Acting on recommendations of the County Behavioral Health Revenue Advisory Committee, the Whatcom County Council chose to strengthen an existing Jail Mental Health Professional (JMHP) program, and create a Re-Entry Service program in the jail for those offenders with mental health issues.

The goal of the JMHP is to assure crisis stabilization and symptom management of offenders with acute mental illness. Services consist of screening, assessment, treatment and coordination of care with community providers upon release. The program is overseen through a partnership between the County Health Department and the Sheriff’s Office.

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Sheriff Bill Elfo

Sheriff Bill Elfo

In last week’s Blog, I discussed the impact state legislation has on local jail populations.  Bills recently proposed in Olympia illustrate this point.

State forecasters issued more grim financial news on March 17^th, projecting an additional state revenue short fall of approximately $780 million.

To close the gap, some Legislators are proposing further reductions to the State Department of Corrections budget that will result in the early release of additional of inmates from state prisons.   This policy will undoubtedly affect the safety of our communities and county jail populations.

The Legislature has already reduced or eliminated prison based treatment programs, community supervision, offender re-entry programs and increased the early release time an offender may receive by 50%.  As these offenders are released early and without adequate services, history has demonstrated that many will soon end up in county jails, charged with new offenses or violating the terms of their release.

The Governor was asked to state her position on the issue:

“It’s the last place I’d go.  Washington State, I think, has stood strong in truth in sentencing.  That’s very important when you are looking at a victim as a prosecutor and to tell that victim there is truth in sentencing in Washington State.  I didn’t do it.  I don’t want the people of the State of Washington to think we are going to jeopardize their safety in any way, shape, or form.  It would be absolutely the last place I’d go.”

I applaud the Governor for standing firm on this matter.

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