In response to the May 19 letter, “Professionals: Trust is the highest requirement,” I have to agree. Citizens should be able to trust people in positions of authority and that they will act fairly, unbiased, and most importantly honestly. Unfortunately, Snohomish County Sheriff’s Department has lost my trust. I have the case numbers to document the following:
On Oct. 18, 2013, my 29-year-old son was riding an electric scooter through residential Snohomish. He was following the law, wearing a helmet and a yellow reflective jacket when a 16-year-old student ran a stop sign and knocked my son 40 feet. The kid then fled the scene, sped down two city blocks, continued through a back yard, side-swiped a vintage truck and finally slammed into a cement back porch. His consequence? A $500 ticket for running a stop sign issued by the sheriff’s department.
My son suffered a shattered femur, lost three front teeth, tore a rotator cuff and was hospitalized for eight days. I’m thankful he’s alive, yet he will never be “whole.” Remember: $500 ticket. Now, fast-forward 10 days.
Snohomish County Sheriff/Animal Control was driving by my house when my dog jumped our fence that we had been warned to raise two feet (my bad). He did not leave our property or cause any commotion. I was turned over to the prosecuting attorney who charged me with a gross misdemeanor. The worst that could happen: 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. I spent many hours collecting letters from witnesses and $700 on counsel to prove I was innocent, case dismissed. So, basically in a 10-day span I discovered that the laws and law enforcement in Snohomish County are going to the dogs. Justice for all? I think not!
Kathy LaBarge
Snohomish
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