Sheriff's Corner

Hello from your Sheriff! The Johnson Park Sheriff's Field Office has been open on Thursdays for a few weeks now with positive reception from our community. I have received many tips regarding traffic safety concerns and suspicious activity, which I have forwarded to the Deputies for increased patrols. Emergency Management Coordinator Austin Smith has also been able to answer questions regarding emergency response and preparedness during his time at the field office. I have enjoyed seeing all of you who have attended, and I encourage anyone who is interested or has questions to stop by, even if just to say hello. The Johnson Park Sheriff's Field Office will be open on Thursdays as staffing levels allow.

Last month, on May 29, EMC Austin Smith and HHS ERC Brandi Beedle hosted a Wildfire Resiliency presentation given by the Department of Natural Resources Community Resiliency Coordinator. The presentation provided information on how to assess and prepare your home to better withstand the dangers of outside fire. If you would like more information or are interested in the possibility of a home inspection, please contact Austin Smith at the Sheriff's Office or Brandi Beedle at Health and Human Services.

Last Saturday, June 7, was the "Get Ready, Go!" Emergency Preparedness event at the Hope Center, sponsored by the hard-working Cathlamet Women's Club. This event included many representatives from state and local emergency response and preparedness agencies and experts. I was happy to see such a great turnout from our community, who took advantage of the valuable information, resources, and family fun presented! I was also pleased to make new connections that could provide more preparedness presentations for small groups in the future.

I would like to express the importance of mental health awareness and care within our community. As a first responder and leader of our Public Safety services, mental health is always on my mind, and I cannot stress enough the need to recognize and take care of not only our physical health but also our mental health. If you or someone you know is experiencing an emotional crisis, please seek help. You can call 911, local crisis hotlines, or utilize the new "988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline." "988" has been implemented in Washington state and provides an easy-to-remember, free emergency phone number, 988, that can be used to call, text, or online chat with 24/7 trained crisis counselors. "Crisis counselors can share resources for longer-term support following your call. If there is an imminent risk to someone's life that cannot be reduced during the call, the 988 Lifeline will activate the 911 system. More than 98% of calls are handled without involving emergency services." – wa988.org

Stay safe, Wahkiakum County!