PORT HADLOCK — An upcoming open house at the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is intended as another step in Sheriff Dave Stanko’s goal to connect law enforcement with the public.
“If you’ve ever wondered where we conduct our day-to-day business and if you’d like to meet members of the Sheriff’s Department, this is the time to visit us,” Stanko said.
The open house will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at 81 Elkins Road, Port Hadlock.
Aside from the open house, Stanko has held several “coffee with a cop” events and has encouraged deputies to join Kiwanis and Rotary clubs while he attends as many Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce meetings as possible.
Deputies also address gatherings. Deputy Charlie McCarty is scheduled to speak at noon Aug. 24 at the Port Townsend Elks Club, 333 Otto St.
“This is another way to show the people how we operate,” Stanko said.
“I’m trying to get away from the concept of ‘windshield cops.’ We want to get them outside the car and next to the public.”
The Elkins Road facility is a law enforcement “campus” that includes offices for the sheriff, JeffCom 9-1-1 Communications, the county Department of Emergency Management and the Jefferson County jail.
Informational handouts from the departments will be available at tables in the parking lot between the two buildings that make up the campus.
Vehicles, such as a 1950s police car, will be on display.
Although all four departments are participating, the public’s access to the jail will be limited to seeing the outer areas.
Even these restricted glances will benefit the public, according to Steve Richmond, jail superintendent.
“It’s very seldom that the public sees these facilities, and the more we can open it up, the more clear it is for them,” Richmond said.
“It is their tax money that supports this.”
Richmond said the 58-inmate capacity jail is small, clean and efficient, offering inmates daily activities such as study to help them earn General Educational Development (GED) certificates as well as anger management classes and substance abuse treatment.
While the jail is small, it is active, with an average of 30 offenders per day, Stanko said.
Lately, the population has been greater than average. As of Wednesday afternoon, 49 people were incarcerated.
Visitors will be able to see the evidence processing room, interrogation rooms with one-way mirrors and holding cells in the Sheriff’s Office, as well as the 9-1-1 command center where all calls are dispatched.
“Individuals who tour the emergency management office will be able to see where the agency’s team deals with local disasters and emergencies,” said Bob Hamlin, director of the county Department of Emergency Management.
“They will also learn about local preparedness programs and volunteer opportunities.”
Visitors will have a chance to observe JeffCom dispatch operators as they respond to calls and learn why it is so important for callers to provide operators with their location.
Stanko said the last facility tour was three years ago and that he wants to increase the frequency.
“We want to do this every two years,” he said.
“I would have liked to do it earlier this year, but this was the only weekend this summer where there didn’t seem to be a lot going on.”
For more information, go to www.jeffersonsheriff.org or phone 360-385-3831.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.