The one where we learned about policing in Lakewood under Covid.
Meeting Note for the April 21 meeting of
The Rotary Club of Clover Park
recorded by Tom McClellan
WELCOME & SUNSHINE
Jeannie Hill led the invocation, and Becky Newton let the flag salute. Tom McClellan successfully recited the 4-Way Test for the assembled masses (or at least that is what he recorded about it in the meeting notes).
Sunshine Report: Karen George reported that Bill Harrison came home from the hospital last Friday, with his infection resolved. Bill's dog Moose joined us as the only visitor this week.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Parks Appreciation Day is April 24. See this link for details, and to participate:
Don't forget May 1 is our own Rotary Club's work party at the South Puget Sound Wildlife area, from 0900-1300. Everyone will be able to spread out across the 100-acre site for weed elimination, bench installation, and other sprucing tasks.
Joyce Oubré noted that the Fundraising Committee will meet on May 6 to hammer down final details on planning for the September 18 golf tournament fundraiser. That date is a change from what was initially announced, to meet requirements from the golf course. Members should start to think about who they know who would be willing to sign up to play, hopefully with a full foursome. And what businesses do you know that would be likely sponsors? Sponsorship details will be explained at the May 19 club meeting.
You can read abbreviated notes for the April 14 club meeting at https://cloverparkrotary.org/Stories/clover-park-rotary-meeting-highlights-for-apr.-14
FUTURE PROGRAMS
April 28 Jim Fuda, Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound
May 5 Bruce McKenty, American Lake Veterans Golf Course
May 12 Sound Transit
PRESIDENT'S MINUTE
President Teresa Nye noted that several club members are current or former runners. Do you have a favorite race, or at least a nice walking path?
Tom McClellan led with a story of how he turned his wife into a street drug dealer. He was running his first marathon in Portland in 2002, and arranged to have his wife and kids meet him at Mile 17 with spare socks, Gatorade, Band-aids, and other supplies. When Tom saw them ahead, he shouted "I NEED MOTRIN!!" As the kids helped change out Tom's fuel belt, Shelley rummaged in the bag and got out the ibuprofen pills for Tom. Then another runner came up and asked, "Can my friend have some too?" because of her bad knee.
Teresa told a similar story about running in the Seattle Rock 'N Roll Marathon, and having knee pain. She finally stopped into an aid station on the route, and ran into an administrative hassle from the aid workers. That solidified the lesson that it is better to pack your own meds.
Ed Trobaugh told a story of when he was an infantry brigade commander in Hawaii, and got talked into running a marathon there as a relay team. Ed was chosen to run the anchor leg, which was supposedly just 2 miles downhill. It was a hot day, and when he got to his assigned relay position, he learned that it actually was not downhill, but uphill to a stadium in the hottest point of the day. His teammates drove by in a van, waving cold beers at him. That put an end to his staff signing up for marathon relays.
Karen George told the story of how Bill Harrison had been asked years ago to lead off the Relay For Life at Clover Park High School. Bill was in his motorized wheelchair, and surprised everyone when he kicked it into high gear and "left everyone in his dust".
FUN & FINES with General Ed
Ed started off by welcoming Tom McClellan back from his trip to California. Tom related how he had driven down to Manhattan Beach one weekend, and drove back the next, getting to glimpse the ocean just once, but working the rest of the time on his late father-in-law's house and on Tom's own father's house. Tom stated that he was proud of one particular accomplishment, the emptying out of his father-in-law's storage unit.
Judi Maier reported that she did receive fine checks from Sheri Hodson and Becky Newton, for crimes detailed last week. She also related that the club's board had voted to send $1500 from our International Projects budget line item to Tacoma South Rotary, to support a water project. And $800 is going to Lakewood Playhouse to support online theater education programs.
This Week’s Program
Our own John Unfred discussed the Lakewood Police Department's 2020 annual report. It is available for download at the City's web site.
Crime ticked up slightly in 2020, but the trend is still down. The increase was mainly in low level property crimes. One problem is that the Pierce County jail only takes in arrestees for serious crimes, due to Covid. Courts are also backlogged. So a lot of bad guys who should be behind bars have been running around racking up the crime stats.
The LPD had around 50,000 calls for service, which is holding steady over the past several years. Traffic stops and "person crimes" are way down.
LPD is participating in the Pierce County Force Investigation Team, which came about due to Initiative 940 which requires an outside agency to investigate all officer-involved actions involving force. Various police departments provide personnel to that team, coordinated by the Pierce County Sheriff.
Last year, the LPD's drone program participated in:
1 search and rescue
3 collision investigations
5 police operations
4 incident management flights (fires)
4 filming events for City departments
The drone has a thermal camera, which can be useful for identifying hot spots in fires. LPD was the first police agency in Pierce County to have a drone program.
The K9 unit engaged in 19 captures with the two tracking dogs. LPD no longer has any drug dogs.
Officers have terminated more vehicle pursuits because jails will not take in prisoners for simple car thefts.
Citizens can now do minor property crime reports online, instead of in person. Officers will then review the report to see what action is needed.
And Finally...
In case you are worried about the police tracking you via your cell phone, you don't have to worry at all, they can for sure track you. In fact, you can track your own cell phone by going to https://www.sat-gps-tracker.com/english/index.html and entering your number to have it locate you.