Town bands together to battle crime

by Danielle Switalski
| August 4, 2010 11:35 AM

HOT SPRINGS - Members of the Hot Springs community called an emergency meeting Wednesday at the Senior Center to discuss the problem of ongoing speeding, reckless driving and crime issues throughout the town.

There were over 40 members of the community, three highway patrolmen, Sanders County Undersheriff Rube Wrightsman and a Sanders County Deputy in attendance to discuss possible solutions to the ongoing problems of crime around the area. Hot Springs resident Janell Clarke officially called the community meeting after a man wrapped his car around a power pole on Central Avenue on July 18 around 3:45 in the morning. Clarke said this was the final straw as cars have been known to race and go at excessive speeds throughout town and she believes it is only a matter of time before someone is seriously injured.

Highway patrolman Roman Zylawy, out of Superior, said the accident occurred due to alleged racing up and down the street. The driver was issued a handful of tickets once highway patrolmen had tracked down the driver. Due to the large area the highway patrolmen cover, combined with a small staff, it is difficult for them to be more of a presence in Hot Springs. The branch of the Highway Patrol in Superior covers all of Mineral and Sanders County.

"We know what you guys need up here, but we are playing catchup," said Zylawy commenting on the recent loss of staff. "As soon as we come up here and work this highway, then someone wrecks on Lookout Pass so we're running around and there's not very many of us."

Due to logistical and geographical problems it is hard for highway patrolmen to patrol the streets of Hot Springs in addition to all of the highways they cover.

"I didn't know in the town you guys were having any difficulties because I normally just stay on the highway. People think of Hot Springs being a sleepy town and we never saw the need to drive in here, but we can certainly find the time to do that," said Zylawy.

Following Zylawy's account of the accident and his declaration that they will try their best to be more of a presence around Hot Springs, the meeting opened up to the public, who discussed ongoing issues and potential solutions.

"I live two houses down from Central Avenue. The racing continues with the same people and the same situation and there is absolute disregard for people. I'm tried of it," said Hot Springs resident Troy Baker. "We have a problem. Not only is the racing going on, but I caught someone breaking into a car. We don't have to live this way it's time to say no, it's time to stop this."

Baker offered up the idea of placing a stop sign at the end of Central Avenue to curb some of the driving concerns.

In addition to the ongoing racing issues, many people voiced concerns about retaliation. Citizens were concerned that should they report the people they believe are committing these crimes to police, the small group in question would retaliate against witnesses.

Connie Grimm recently moved to Hot Springs a few months ago and refuses to give in to fear of retaliation. Since moving to her new home, Grimm said her and her husband have had things stolen from around their home and racing cars are a big problem. Grimm suggested forming a committee that can begin taking action to solve the problem.

"I don't want to live in fear and I don't think anyone should be walking down the street and be intimidated and harassed," said Grimm. "If we're all this concerned then we need to get a plan, a committee. We'll all feel safer and we will feel less in fear of retaliation because we will know our neighbors and that's a big part of feeling safe in a community is knowing your neighbors and knowing you have some kind of support."

Undersheriff Wrightsman followed up on the community's concerns and offered some guidance to concerned citizens. Wrightsman said the current police department in Hot Springs is one of the best they have ever had. The Sanders County Sheriff's Office covers a lot of land with few deputies and he said the people that are causing problems have been causing problems for years and therefore know when police are out patrolling.

Wrightsman said the people of Hot Springs have the power and forming a committee is a great idea. He said the Sheriff's Office will do everything they can to attend community safety meetings and offer their guidance.

"Your anger is the best thing you have going for you," said Wrightsman. "You guys have to make these people afraid of you rather than you being afraid of them."

Wrightsman told the community members to document any illegal action they may see and any threats of retaliation. He said to go to the police whenever necessary and use the power of the group to make Hot Springs a safer place. One word of caution from Wrightsman, however, was that people must work within the law to solve these problems.

"Take this into your own hands. Tell the police. You have more authority than you know. You cant break the law, you can't intimidate and threaten people and that's where your Police Department can give you guidelines to stay within the law," said Wrightsman.

Grimm offered to organize a following meeting and take charge in organizing a citizens watch group and have the people take matters into their own hands.