NEIGHBORS ARE EYES, EARS FOR POLICE

It's amazing how one disruptive homeowner can upset an entire neighborhood.
That's why it should be reassuring to Olympia residents to see their police
officers take decisive action against a Tullis Street homeowner who has been
a source of problems.

Since the beginning of the year, police officers have been summoned to a
residence in the 1600 block of Tullis a total of 57 times.

That's a terrible waste of law enforcement resources.

A man convicted in a home-invasion robbery was arrested at the home.

A resident of the house was arrested on suspicion of forgery.

Another resident of the house was arrested on suspicion of second-degree
assault.

And recently, police arrested the home's owner, her roommate and two
associates on suspicion of drug-related offenses. All four were booked into
the county jail.

Police found drug paraphernalia and tools used to package methamphetamines
for sale, but no drugs.

Police plan to send an abatement letter to the home's owner. That gives the
homeowner one last opportunity to turn things around. In accordance with the
abatement letter, if one more narcotics arrest is made at the home, police
could possibly seize it.

That sends a strong message to the homeowner, to her houseguests and to
would-be drug buyers.

As Police Lt. Steve Oderman said, "I hope word gets out to people who come
here to buy drugs or use drugs: Don't return, because this neighborhood is
not afraid to take a stand."

And therein lies an important lesson.

It was neighbors who forced this issue. The members of the Neighborhood
Watch program worked closely with police in an attempt to resolve problems
associated with the residents. In the Neighborhood Watch program, residents
keep tabs on the well-being of their neighbors and report any suspicious
activity to law enforcement authorities.

When residents act on behalf of their neighbors, they empower others to do
the same. It creates a collective approach that says the quality of
neighborhood life is important. It creates a safer community.

This isn't the only Olympia neighborhood struggling with this kind of
problem. When police make arrests and issue abatement letters, it sends a
message that criminal behavior will not be tolerated and that concerned
residents can make a positive difference in their neighborhood.

That's a powerful message.