In response to Michael McAnaw’s letter to the editor of July 19 criticizing the Public Safety Initiative to build a new facility for Marysville, I empathize with him. I too live on a Marysville street where there are frequent, dangerous traffic violations. He is correct: More traffic patrols are needed.
However, I disagree with his assertion that cramming a skilled, motivated and professional police force into a facility that was designed 35 years ago for a force less than half its size helps. Voters who agree with McAnaw and me about traffic safety should support the “YES for Public Safety” initiative. For the record:
MPD has been adding new officers and continues to do so with three being hired in the next few months.
Changes in traffic patrols did not originate from the Mayor’s Office as McAnaw asserts, but from Chief Smith’s Office in an effort to take a pro-active approach to serious crime (an effort that has been successful).
The MPD does in fact patrol McAnaw’s neighborhood. I was riding with an MPD officer on July 8 who (among many other calls that night) made traffic stops, one near the area in question.
The current jail facility is overcrowded. Without additional space, those taken into custody for misdemeanor offenses (like gross traffic violations) must be cited and released rather than experiencing immediate consequences by being jailed.
A sales tax of 10 cents on every $100 purchase in Marysville (shared by consumers, not just property owners like me and Mr. McAnaw) is a bargain for safer Marysville streets. For more information go to www.marysvillewa.gov/972/Criminal-Justice-Tax-Proposal.
Dan Hazen
Marysville
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