EPHRATA - People raised questions and expressed support for a proposed sales tax increase aimed at funding law enforcement.

Grant County residents went to the commissioners public comment period Monday morning to speak about a 0.3 percent sales tax increase. Quincy officials are asking the commissioners to place it on November's ballot.

Revenue from the sales tax would be split between the county and the cities, with 60 percent going to the county and 40 percent going to the cities, Quincy Mayor Jim Hemberry said.

Hemberry wanted the city's portion to go to the county's criminal justice system, he said. The issue came out of the city's efforts to start a block watch program.

 "One of the things that we're telling our citizens is, 'You need to help us. You need to come forward, and be a witness and testify when you know something is happening in this community,'" he said. "Well that is real easy to say, that is hard to do when you have fear of retaliation."

When alleged criminals are released within a few days of being arrested, the fear becomes a reality, Hemberry said. He didn't come with a plan for how the money could be used, urging the commissioners to develop one. He did repeat some suggestions made by Prosecutor Angus Lee at a recent city council meeting.

"I can't speak for the other cities. I did send out notice to every city in the county before I came here this morning," he said. "I can tell you the full city council in the City of Quincy is 100 percent behind this tax increase."

Susan Hendrickson, a Quincy-area farmer, supported the tax, saying she has been a victim of theft at her house and farm.

"We've all been hit really hard by theft of copper wire, our tools, anything in our house that can be carried out the door," she said. "I want you to picture yourself coming home to find your doors kicked in. You can't go into your home. Your alarm has gone off ... So you're there, you're alone, you're scared."

Hendrickson doesn't feel safe in her home anymore, and began carrying a pistol to defend herself, she said. Help can't get to her quickly because the sheriff's deputies are spread too thin.

"They try their hardest to do what they can do," she said. "We're to the point where we're going to start retaliating. We're tired. Insurance has started to deny claims because we report over and over and over."

Thieves are hitting other area farmers as well. She pointed to one person who had $100,000 worth of wire stolen from his irrigation circles.

"He was hit the other day. The wire was out 10 hours and it was gone," she said. "It's got to stop. It's got to stop somewhere."

Michele Wurl felt the crime was a Grant County issue, saying she is tired of hearing about people working in Grant County and living in Douglas or Chelan counties.

"They don't think that Grant County is worthy of their money," she said. "So their companies are benefiting, but they don't want to live in Grant County because they don't think that we can keep them safe."

Ed Stubington questioned whether increasing economic growth would serve the same purpose.

Commissioner Richard Stevens said none of the other cities approached the commissioners about the tax increase.

"We said in the past, we need all 14 cities to push this," he said. "If they're not willing to fight for it. It's going to be something that fails."

Hemberry plans to speak to other cities about the proposal, he said.