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Slide Notes
A local issue made national news within the past few years, and multiple times. What seemed like a simple tax levy proposal became a battle between money and safety. A county of residents, torn right about in half, stands confused and unwavering.
Josephine County, Ore. has been stripped clean of its financial subsidies. Two sides of this coin stand conflicted; is there an easy compromise to their dilemma?
Josephine County, Ore. has been stripped clean of its financial subsidies. Two sides of this coin stand conflicted; is there an easy compromise to their dilemma?
lawlessness
Published on Nov 18, 2015
A brief storybook guide to the lawlessness in Josephine County, Oregon.
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PRESENTATION OUTLINE
lawlessness
Money, Safety, & Compromise
A local issue made national news within the past few years, and multiple times. What seemed like a simple tax levy proposal became a battle between money and safety. A county of residents, torn right about in half, stands confused and unwavering.
Josephine County, Ore. has been stripped clean of its financial subsidies. Two sides of this coin stand conflicted; is there an easy compromise to their dilemma?
Josephine County, Ore. has been stripped clean of its financial subsidies. Two sides of this coin stand conflicted; is there an easy compromise to their dilemma?
Photo by Daniel Paixão Fontes
Josephine County
Lacking Funds, Lacking Patrols
So the feds took their trees and are leaving them untouched. With federal subsidies drained and funding from the logging industry lacking, Josephine County's having to lay off around 35 sheriff officers.
It's unfortunate that the system is set up so that their law enforcement relies almost 100% on finances.
Should money have the final say over their safety?
It's unfortunate that the system is set up so that their law enforcement relies almost 100% on finances.
Should money have the final say over their safety?
Photo by aresauburn™
josephine county
Policing - A 9 to 5 Job?
When the Josephine County Sheriff's office is called by anyone, if it is outside the 9 to 5 hours, a message greets the caller and informs them that no one is available. Even if their call was made in dire need.
A woman called the office in the 3am hour distressed about an ex boyfriend trying to break and enter, and ultimately assault her. The dispatch had no one to send. Their suggestion?
"Can you try to tell him to go away…?"
The man did not go away. No one was sent. The woman was raped in her home.
A woman called the office in the 3am hour distressed about an ex boyfriend trying to break and enter, and ultimately assault her. The dispatch had no one to send. Their suggestion?
"Can you try to tell him to go away…?"
The man did not go away. No one was sent. The woman was raped in her home.
josephine county
More than just a tax levy
Why is it there is even an argument against bringing the Josephine County Sheriff's Office back? Who is going to patrol areas only they can? And where is this money going to come from?
Increased property taxes.
Taxes of those whose properties are never trodden by sheriff patrols. The rural outskirts. The large-acred land.
The county proposed a tax increase. The voting commenced.
http://securingoursafety.org/qa/
The law enforcement of Josephine County had lost their first battle.
Increased property taxes.
Taxes of those whose properties are never trodden by sheriff patrols. The rural outskirts. The large-acred land.
The county proposed a tax increase. The voting commenced.
http://securingoursafety.org/qa/
The law enforcement of Josephine County had lost their first battle.
Photo by BobMical
josephine county
Lawlessness Commences
Isn't it crazy what money does to people?
After the patrols were cut back--and I mean that very day--there were eight (8) instances of robbery or theft, and of the criminals caught in the act, every single one of them was turned away from the jail for lack of staff. They were released back into the county with fines as retribution.
It did not end there.
So what's the big deal? What is the conflict about? Who is it concerning? And why can't they come to a compromise?
After the patrols were cut back--and I mean that very day--there were eight (8) instances of robbery or theft, and of the criminals caught in the act, every single one of them was turned away from the jail for lack of staff. They were released back into the county with fines as retribution.
It did not end there.
So what's the big deal? What is the conflict about? Who is it concerning? And why can't they come to a compromise?
Photo by cheesechoker
Conflict in jo.co.
- Player 1: Rural residents/taxpayers
- Player 2: Urban residents/SOS
- Player 1 wants no part in paying more
- Player 2 wants law enforcement back
- Levy 1 failed. Levy 2 barely failed. Levy 3…?
The rural residents: Their taxes are being increased for the safety of those in the city. The sheriffs don't even respond to their calls. Why hike up their taxes immensely when it doesn't even directly benefit them? Can't they get the money from somewhere else?
The urban residents: Their city is becoming scary to live in. Criminals cannot be locked up, and officers may not respond when called. Is the money really so worth holding onto that people's lives are at risk and it's okay?
"Securing Our Safety" brought back the levy a second time, and more were on board. What will happen the third time?
The urban residents: Their city is becoming scary to live in. Criminals cannot be locked up, and officers may not respond when called. Is the money really so worth holding onto that people's lives are at risk and it's okay?
"Securing Our Safety" brought back the levy a second time, and more were on board. What will happen the third time?
Photo by RVillar
josephine county
Compromise: Let's Make It a Win-Win
"Securing Our Safety" has gathered 2000 signatures from the citizens of Josephine County to reinstate the levy one last time (because the last loss was only by 49% to 51% and we just can't accept defeat).
This time, however, the increase is much lower, having been dropped from $1.89/sqft property to $1.19/sqft property. This won't fully fund everything that was lost, but would bring back enough officers to man the jail and the juvenile detention center, and put a select few patrol officers back on the streets. The taxpayers won't have to worry--this levy only lasts for the next 3 years until it's voted on again.
This time, however, the increase is much lower, having been dropped from $1.89/sqft property to $1.19/sqft property. This won't fully fund everything that was lost, but would bring back enough officers to man the jail and the juvenile detention center, and put a select few patrol officers back on the streets. The taxpayers won't have to worry--this levy only lasts for the next 3 years until it's voted on again.
Photo by bmooneyatwork
Conflict resolved?
We'll see.
Will Josephine County see the end of lawlessness? This conflict is ongoing due to miscommunication, misrepresentation, and lack of compromise. But the end is seemingly near.
One more vote. One more tax levy proposal.
One step closer to regaining their safety.
To help this small community with a large issue, please click the following link. Even becoming informed could help you spread awareness and understand how your own community is run, and if this same situation happens where you are, it can help you know what to do.
{ securingoursafety.org/join-sos }
One more vote. One more tax levy proposal.
One step closer to regaining their safety.
To help this small community with a large issue, please click the following link. Even becoming informed could help you spread awareness and understand how your own community is run, and if this same situation happens where you are, it can help you know what to do.
{ securingoursafety.org/join-sos }
Photo by Curtis Gregory Perry
Curry, Josephine counties reject public safety levies; Lane OKs jail levy (2013, May 22). In Oregon Live - The Oregonian. Retrieved February 9, 2014, from Curry, Josephine counties reject public safety levies; Lane OKs jail levy
Photo by WarzauWynn
Hastings, Deborah. "Cash-strapped Law Enforcement Agencies in Oregon Stop Answering Calls." New York Daily News 23 May 2013: 1+. Web. 8 Feb. 2014.
Photo by gtall1
Meredith, J. (2013, August 15). Crime and Victim Stats. In Securing Our Safety. Retrieved February 8, 2014, from http://securingoursafety.org/victim-crime-stats/
Photo by semihundido
