Cheers: To independent investigations. The state of Washington is preparing to launch a new office to investigate fatal police shootings, and Clark County will be included. The office, established by the Legislature in 2021, expects to begin operations Dec. 1 with the goal of lending independence and transparency to the investigations. It will examine deadly force incidents, rather than having regional law enforcement agencies handle such investigations.
Investigators will submit reports to local prosecutors, and the office’s director said: “We want those reports to be public and available so folks can read them. Our hope is to write them in a way that’s understandable so that people can read and make sure that they’re clear about what happened.” The premise is a valuable one, but officials and lawmakers must be diligent to ensure the system is working as intended and protects the rights of both civilians and officers.
Jeers: To dangerous actions. As wildfires burn throughout the Northwest, forcing evacuations in some cases, a California man has declared his candidacy for a dumb criminal award. Authorities have arrested the man for pushing a burning vehicle into a gully; the result is a wildfire that has burned more than 100 square miles, California’s largest fire of the year thus far.
Meanwhile, residents in Washington, Oregon and British Columbia have been provided with smoky reminders that this is wildfire season. Be cautious and don’t do stupid stuff that can exacerbate an already dangerous situation.
Cheers … or jeers: To being in second place. In what is either a somewhat healthy sign or an insult to our very identity, we are surprised to discover that Washington is not the nation’s most coffee-obsessed state — at least by one measure. According to coffee review site Cafelista, Washington has 57.3 coffee shops for every 100,000 residents. That ranks second behind Alaska and its rate of 73.5 coffee shops.
Washington, as home to Starbucks, has played a significant role in the development of coffee culture and its spread throughout the United States. Sometimes our obsession can be unhealthy, but experts say moderate coffee consumption can have health benefits. So, for now, we will accept our second-place ranking — and wash it down with a cappuccino.
Jeers: To an apparent pipe bomb. The bomb squad from the Portland Police Bureau was called into action in Woodland last week when a suspicious device washed ashore along the Columbia River. Cowlitz County officials said it was a 3-inch-long black pipe a half-inch in diameter with a fuse.
The bomb squad detonated the device at the site, and there were no injuries. If the device was benign, it wasted valuable law enforcement time and likely frightened some beachgoers. If it was active, it posed a danger. Either way, jeers are warranted for the person who made the device.
A tip of the cap: To a bit of sartorial flair. In a nod to Western culture, Clark County Sheriff’s Office officials announced last week that deputies are now allowed to wear cowboy hats during their shifts. “From the suburbs to the farmlands, we are proud to serve all of our Clark County community,” a post from the agency said.
According to a spokesperson, cowboy hats were an approved part of the uniform decades ago. They are making a comeback after the department’s uniform committee pondered fashion additions to pique the interest of deputies. “People are excited about it,” one official said. “This is something different for us.” Yee-haw!
