Under the current sheriff, county residents in remote areas like Coyle, Quilcene, and Brinnon often lack basic police protection.

Here’s a personal story that illustrates the problem.

On a Monday in 2021, several county residents in Coyle called 911 to report an abandoned vehicle stranded in the middle of the lane on Hazel Point Road, just over a blind hill where the speed limit is 35 mph — a potentially lethal road hazard.

An abandoned vehicle cannot be towed unless a deputy shows up and clears it for towing. The other callers and I just needed a deputy to drive out to Coyle and authorize towing to make our road safe again.

But no Jefferson County deputy responded on Monday, so the road hazard remained there all day and all night, blocking the lane, lurking just over the blind hill, posing needless peril to local motorists —especially at night, as there are no streetlights on the road.

Frustrated, Coyle residents called 911 again on Tuesday.

But no deputy responded on Tuesday, either. So the abandoned vehicle spent a second day and dark night endangering local drivers. On Wednesday, I reached out to my friend, Detective Art Frank. Art reported the issue to command, and the vehicle got towed later that day. I was lucky I knew somebody in the sheriff’s office who could solve my community’s problem and make our road safe again.

But you shouldn’t have to know somebody to get basic protection from local law enforcement.

One call to 911 should be enough.

That’s why Art Frank is running for sheriff: To ensure that when you call 911 for police help, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office responds and resolves, every time — even if you live in Coyle or Quilcene or Brinnon.

Elect Art Frank as Jefferson County sheriff in November.

Roland Faragher-Horwell
QUILCENE