DISCOVERY BAY — In spite of a Jefferson County order shutting down their homeland security operations Thursday, Discovery Bay residents complained that Security Services Northwest resumed practice gunfire over the weekend.
Company president Joe D’Amico declined Monday to confirm if marksmanship training resumed at the training center’s shooting ranges Friday through Sunday, as representatives of Discover Bay Alliance claimed.
The citizens group represents about 900 bay residents and its aim is to end the center’s gunfire and explosives training operations, which residents say is disturbing and a threat to their property values.
“We implore you to enforce with all appropriate measures you orders to [Security Systems Northwest],” alliance member and Discovery Road resident Sam Parker told Jefferson County commissioners in Port Townsend on Monday morning.
“We are astounded by SSNW’s blatant contempt for the county’s orders.”
D’Amico and his lawyer met Monday with County Administrator John Fischbach, Community Development Director Al Scalf, Sheriff’s Enforcement Deputy Tony Hernandez and County Compliance Officer Molly Pearson.
Scalf on Thursday issued a stop work order based in the county codes.
Civil penalties
The order calls for civil penalties of $100 a day per violation until Security Services takes corrective action to obtain building and land use permits, and meet county codes and other local, state and federal regulations.
The order lists 12 violations of county codes, including unpermitted structures built on the property in recent years, shoreline use, marine patrols and counter-assault team training.
“As of right now the options are to continue to hold steadfast and close them down because they are operating without permits, and that’s basically the only option,” Fischbach said after the 2½-hour Monday meeting.
The county administrator said the county would contact D’Amico this morning to remind the company “that the stop work order is in force.”