State AG calls for retail crime unit
STAFF REPORT | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years, 11 months AGO
Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson
FILE PHOTO
OLYMPIA — Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson said Tuesday he is asking the state legislature for $1.5 million annually to fund the creation of a 10-member organized retail crime unit, according to a press release from the Attorney General’s office.
The request follows Ferguson’s convening of an organized retail crime task force to improve cooperation between law enforcement agencies in dealing with organized retail crime, which involves the theft of goods from retail stores for resale. Such criminal activity costs major retailers billions in losses every year, the press release noted.
The press release said creating a new unit would allow the Attorney General’s office to prosecute cases referred by county prosecutors, giving the state limited jurisdiction over such cases.
“Washington law enforcement agencies have limited resources to tackle these sophisticated crimes,” Ferguson said in the press release. “A modest investment in a centralized statewide organized retail crimes unit will hold criminals accountable and deter crimes which cause significant economic harm to our state.”
According to the press release, nine other states have similar state tasks forces dedicated to investigating and prosecuting organized retail crime.
ARTICLES BY STAFF REPORT
Westbound Winchester rest area closed until further notice
MOSES LAKE — The Winchester rest area west of Moses Lake will be closed for an undetermined length of time as Washington Department of Transportation crews drill a new well. The westbound rest stop was closed in mid-September, according to a WSDOT press release. "Crews identified significant issues with the facility's well system," the press release said. "Further evaluation determined that a full well replacement would be needed to restore reliable water service to the rest area." The replacement is expected to take at least until mid-December, the WSDOT release said. "The process requires funding, permitting and hiring a contractor," it said. The eastbound rest area will still be open, and has the nearest RV dump, the release said. The nearest westbound rest areas are at Schrag, 22 miles west of Ritzville, and Ryegrass, 25 miles west of George.
Soap Lake to hold cleanup day
SOAP LAKE — Residents of Soap Lake can dispose of household refuse at the city’s Free Fall Cleanup Friday through Sunday, according to a statement from the city. The cleanup is for Soap Lake residents only, the city wrote, and either a photo ID or a current utility bill will be required as proof of residency. Certain items may not be dropped off, including liquids, animal carcasses, car parts, appliances, oil and hazardous materials, according to the statement. The city may limit the number of loads per household if it becomes excessive. Materials may be brought to the Cardboard Recycling Center on Second Avenue Southwest, according to the statement.
Household hazardous materials disposal Friday in Mattawa
MATTAWA — People who want to dispose of those mostly empty paint cans and bottles of weed spray, or those burned-out fluorescent tubes, among many other things, will have the opportunity at a household hazardous waste event from noon to 3 p.m. Friday.