Corps of trained aides planned by Gilbertson
Better coverage includes Cave Junction jail
Sheriff Gil Gilbertson
If Illinois Valley community members truly care about reducing crime, they will “step up to the plate” and volunteer their time and talents in partnership with the sheriff’s office.
So believes Josephine County Sheriff Gil Gilbertson, who has many ideas about turning the tide against thieves, vandals, burglars, assaulters and others intent on breaking laws. He met Tuesday, Aug. 14 in Cave Junction with two separate groups regarding tentative battle plans aimed at deterring the criminal element.
The sheriff noted that being able to use the three jail cells in the basement of Cave Junction City Hall could go a long way toward helping deputies. In a similar vein, he stressed that continuing to operate the county jail in Grants Pass is critical to his budget, and thus law enforcement coverage in the county.
Gilbertson made his presentations during a meeting of the Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors at Wild River Brewing & Pizza Co.; and to a grass-roots group of concerned citizens at Illinois Valley Family Resource Center.
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The head of Josephine County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) would like to have a corps of volunteers, who could be trained in nonemergency work. They could work “cold cases” by taking fingerprints and photos, among other work that would free patrol deputies to handle “hot calls.”
Additionally, with some remodeling of the former Cave Junction jail, it could be used to hold prisoners. Trained volunteers would serve as monitors, as required under law.
“This would save our road deputies a minimum of two hours time to transport and book prisoners at the county jail,” said the sheriff. Prisoners could be transported later by others, he indicated.
“I’m looking for a partnership, and it falls on the shoulders of the community to step up to the plate,” said Gilbertson.
He told the two groups that he’s interested in finding out about law enforcement districts to bolster the fight against crime. He plans to visit Deschutes and Washington counties, which have such districts, to learn more about their workings.
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The sheriff also wants to find out if insurance companies are willing to help pay for law enforcement in Josephine County. He has a presentation prepared.
“I’m looking for better service that’s more cost-effective,” he said.
Regarding current staffing, Gilbertson said that there are 14 unfilled positions.
“We’re short of people,” he noted, “so this month alone (as of the14th), deputies have accrued 70 hours of overtime.” He said that a similar situation exists at county jail, although not for nearly as many hours.
“Thank goodness we have people willing to be your law enforcement despite funding uncertainties,” said the sheriff. “It’s a problem with unstable funding because they don’t know if they’re going to have a job from year to year.”
He also stated that a number of JCSO officers through the years have “walked across the hall” to Grants Pass Police after gaining experience with JCSO. They make a thousand more dollars per month, have better benefits and job security, he noted.
Gilbertson continued that he is extremely interested in the valley, and that he and his wife, who operates Blind George’s in Grants Pass, are purchasing property in I.V. In connection with his concern for the community, he said that he is seeking a grant to obtain a back-up generator for the new Siskiyou Community Health Center, as it doesn’t have one.
Also regarding grants, the sheriff said that he is pursuing some to aid his forces. But he noted that grants only provide temporary aid, and that he wants more permanent funding, as through a law enforcement district or other means.
The county’s top lawman added that he wants to provide 24/7 coverage for the county. He noted that “more employees equal more service,” so the community needs to get the county board of commissioners “to do their job.”
Said the sheriff, “The community needs to hold their feet (those of the commissioners) to the fire.”
His goal, he said, is to have two deputies per eight-hour shift working from the substations in Cave Junction, Merlin and Murphy.
“I need 36 patrol deputies and 48 at the jail,” he said, “and we’ll get there.”
Lending support to JCSO will go a long way, said Don Moore, a Cave Junction resident and member of the county rural planning commission.
Besides being a member of the I.V. Chamber board, he is one of the participants, with Roger Brandt and others, on the grass-roots committee concerned with the direction of the Illinois Valley community. Where the young people are going is of special concern, and keeping them away from crime is vital, they and others expressed.
Among those attending the meeting at the resource center were Pat Brandt, Luz Moore, Alice Schaffer, Bill Reid and Mary Orton.
“It’s all about the kids, the future,” said the sheriff. “We need to send them on the right path. After all, they’ll need to protect us in later years.”
Roger Brandt, Don Moore and others are intent on working with JCSO. They will continue to prepare groundwork for a community partnership, seeking ways to strengthen law enforcement efforts.
