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Watchful eyes could be the answer for Snoqualmie

July 8, 2009

By Administrator

 

For those who love both history and quaintness, downtown Snoqualmie can be quite a sight, especially during summer months packed with activities. But, if the residents and business owners in the area want to keep it that way, they may have to band together to disrupt a current trend.
This summer, both arson and vandalism have hit downtown Snoqualmie hard. It was reported last month that arsonists set fire to the Snoqualmie Depot, Bella Vita Spa and the Snoqualmie City Hall all on the same night. Sprinklers kept the damage – which was estimated at $13,000 – from being worse than it could have been.
Days later, reports surfaced about a continuing graffiti problem in the same general area of Snoqualmie. White supremacist graffiti was spray-painted on three different churches and Mount Si High School during June. A Christian-themed book store also had its front window smashed.
The desire to end vandalism is an issue every community can generally agree on. Fortunately, that unity is also one of the best ways to meet the problem.
While it isn’t the job of everyone, it should be the responsibility of everyone in the community to prevent crime. That’s why so many neighborhood watch or crimestopping programs have been put in place in neighborhoods around the country. These programs are especially productive when it comes to minor crimes or crimes typically committed by youths, like vandalism.
Even if you don’t feel the need to start a neighborhood watch association, simply making it your individual duty to be watchful of crime can make a big difference. Understand, however, that neighborhood associations are not vigilante organizations — members are encouraged not to intervene, but rather to contact authorities when they witness foul play.
Of course, the largest responsibility of all lies with the friends of vandals who witness this behavior. Destruction of property is commonly committed by teenagers, and peer pressure to stop that destruction can go a long way toward solving the problem

 

Editorial:

For those who love both history and quaintness, downtown Snoqualmie can be quite a sight, especially during summer months packed with activities. But, if the residents and business owners in the area want to keep it that way, they may have to band together to disrupt a current trend.

This summer, both arson and vandalism have hit downtown Snoqualmie hard. It was reported last month that arsonists set fire to the Snoqualmie Depot, Bella Vita Spa and the Snoqualmie City Hall all on the same night. Sprinklers kept the damage – which was estimated at $13,000 – from being worse than it could have been.

Days later, reports surfaced about a continuing graffiti problem in the same general area of Snoqualmie. White supremacist graffiti was spray-painted on three different churches and Mount Si High School during June. A Christian-themed book store also had its front window smashed.

The desire to end vandalism is an issue every community can generally agree on. Fortunately, that unity is also one of the best ways to meet the problem.

While it isn’t the job of everyone, it should be the responsibility of everyone in the community to prevent crime. That’s why so many neighborhood watch or crimestopping programs have been put in place in neighborhoods around the country. These programs are especially productive when it comes to minor crimes or crimes typically committed by youths, like vandalism.

Even if you don’t feel the need to start a neighborhood watch association, simply making it your individual duty to be watchful of crime can make a big difference. Understand, however, that neighborhood associations are not vigilante organizations — members are encouraged not to intervene, but rather to contact authorities when they witness foul play.

Of course, the largest responsibility of all lies with the friends of vandals who witness this behavior. Destruction of property is commonly committed by teenagers, and peer pressure to stop that destruction can go a long way toward solving the problem

Written by Administrator · Filed Under Editorial, Opinion 

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