O'BRIEN, Ore. (AP) — There's no room in the county jail for burglars and thieves. And the sheriff's department in a vast, rural corner of southwest Oregon has been reduced by budget cuts to three deputies on patrol eight hours a day, five days a week.Read the rest here.
But people in this traditionally self-reliant section of timber country aren't about to raise taxes to put more officers on the road. Instead, some folks in Josephine County, larger than the state of Rhode Island, are taking matters into their own hands — mounting flashing lights on their trucks and strapping pistols to their hips to guard communities themselves. Others have put together a virtual neighborhood watch, using Facebook to share tips and information.
"I believe in standing up for myself rather than waiting for the government to do something for me," said Sam Nichols, a retired marina manager.
Nichols has organized a posse of about a dozen fed-up residents who have started patrolling the small community of O'Brien, which has about 750 residents.
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Providing protection at the local level is part of the militia's duties, isn't it? Professional police forces are the product of more affluent circumstances.
ReplyDeleteAlternatively, the local police agency could be staffed completely with police reservists for those locales who are wedded to the notion of professional police training. In the absence of such professional training, criminal courts would have to alter their notion of due process.
Having lived in this county and deep in the woods with no local sherrif, I can attest to the peace which reigns in "JoCo". In spite of the meth and pot farms, most of the good denizens live happy lives! I'd move back if I could find work!
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