BRINNON — About 60 residents attended a neighborhood watch meeting Tuesday to organize against what they say is an increasing methamphetamine-related theft problem in the southern Jefferson County community.
The meeting, held in the Community Center on U.S. Highway 101, featured Jefferson County Undersheriff Tim Perry, who brought a couple of deputies to commend residents’ involvement and provide direction for their efforts.
“I felt very good about the meeting and am very excited about the level of interest in the community,” Perry said.
He said property crime in Brinnon has not increased, but has remained about the same as last year.
Personal stories related
During the meeting, residents expressed worries and relayed personal stories of victimization experienced from property thefts and the presence of criminals.
Some residents said they are living in fear for how the “meth people” might react to coordinating community members to combat the problem.
“I am already in fear of retaliation from the meth people,” said one Brinnon resident who helped organize the neighborhood watch meeting but insisted on anonymity.
“The threat of retaliation by the meth people is extremely real.”
Of the 60 members in attendance, not one person was willing to provide his or her identity to Peninsula Daily News for fear of being singled out and harassed.
One woman said neighborhood dogs have already been killed and that she fears what else might be done.
“That’s not unnatural when these things first start up,” said Perry.
“The criminals start to feel threatened, and there’s a possibility they may try to intimidate people.”