City cop on deck
CJ pact pending with JoCo sheriff
From our weekly issue dated July 2, 2008
Sheriff Gilbertson and Major Paulson (Photo by Illinois Valley News)
A city of Cave Junction lawman could be on the job this week.
A contract with Josephine County Sheriff’s Office to provide 40-hour-per-week law enforcement coverage in the city of Cave Junction was signed by Mayor Tony Paulson on Thursday, June 26.
The signing, authorized by the city council June 23 if there was consensus on the agreement, occurred in city hall following a 42-minute workshop. It began 18 minutes late because Sheriff Gil Gilbertson and county commission Chairman Dave Toler were delayed by Hwy. 199 construction at the north end of the city.
At one point, 199 traffic was backed up nearly to Sauer’s Flat on the north, and to Caves Hwy. on the south.
Click here to learn more about how you can tell us what you think
Under the contract, a city deputy would provide coverage 40 hours per week. The cost would be $25,000 per quarter, and the money is in the city budget, said City Recorder Jim Polk. He attended the workshop with Paulson, and city councilors Margaret Miller, Don Moore and Trisha Arias. Councilman Dan Fiske had an excused absence. Five valley citizens also were present for the workshop.
Toler said, “I’m good with the proposal.” He indicated that his fellow commissioners would be willing to proceed with the pact.
The only delay is due to an addition to the agreement, sought by Miller, regarding a refund if coverage does not meet the minimum hours. The sheriff said he’s fine with that, but that the matter has to be reviewed by the county legal office.
Advertisement:
Moore asked about split shifts; Paulson asked about shift hours. The sheriff responded that shifts are a union issue, and that he is not going to publicly announce the anticipated coverage times.
The city previously terminated its contract for a deputy when the officer assigned could not provide 40-hour coverage due to various circumstances. And Gilbertson had no one else available. The city received a refund on its payment because of that.
After the meeting, Polk said that with the sheriff’s cooperation, it’s likely that the city Municipal Court will resume with attorney Jack Davis, of Grants Pass, serving as judge. The court, as previously, will handle traffic infraction cases. And the sheriff has said that impound situations in the valley will be handled by city hall.
