Ron Krebs for sheriff | Letter

Published 11:03 am Tuesday, October 28, 2014

I’m writing this letter in support of Ron Krebs for San Juan County Sheriff.  I attended the League of Women Voters of the San Juans on Orcas and was able to hear both Sheriff Nou and Ron Krebs give their speeches.

I was bothered by Sheriff Nou’s lack of enthusiasm for his job. I was really bothered by his lack of remorse to a question one resident asked him pertaining to the lack of law enforcement coverage on Lopez for one or two nights. To me this is unacceptable. We, the residents of San Juan County, deserve law enforcement coverage 24/7 even if it means the sheriff or under-sheriff get out and conduct patrols.

Ron Krebs’ plan was simple: “Get out and patrol if he  needs to.” While that may be perceived as a simplistic response, the sheriff is still a certified law enforcement officer in the state. Sheriff Nou seemed to brush questions off while Ron Krebs was more aggressive in his responses. When Ron Krebs was asked how he would deal with the increased drug activities in the area, Mr. Krebs said, “I would park my patrol car in front of the house.” Some may say this is extreme. I simply took it more as he would stress an aggressive community policing policy. Ron Krebs acknowledged the lack of communication between the Sheriff’s office and the community and stated he would hold town hall meetings throughout the islands if need be to address and try to fix the communities’ concerns.

I was able to speak with both Sheriff Nou and Ron Krebs about the lack of manning and the possibility of instilling a reserve program. Sheriff Nou seemed supportive and optimistic but not interested at this time. While Ron Krebs said if elected, there will be a reserve program to help with the extra manning and to better assist the residents of San Juan County. This is a cost efficient program that will better the residents of San Juan County. Ron told me he wants to update training, policies  and bring back leadership to the Sheriff’s Department.

I  believe in Ron Krebs and his leadership abilities to better the Sheriff’s Department both professionally and boost the morale amongst the department’s employees. Ron will bring a strong, positive customer service approach to  the residents of San Juan County. I believe Ron Krebs is a very humble man and will work hard for everyone in San Juan county and will put the residents needs first and foremost. I feel he will seek input from the Sheriff’s Department staff and will strive to work in partnership with them.  It’s obvious Ron Krebs wants to prove himself to us and to the employees of the Sheriff’s Department. It is apparent that  Ron wants to bring trust in our Sheriff’s Department under his leadership. Please join me in voting for Ron Krebs.

Patrick Timmins

Orcas Resident