[Vision2020] Temporary change in service response

[Jennifer McFarland]

All:

Please not the following release.  Due to illness, I will be out of the
office for the rest of the day, but I will return on Monday and will then be
able to answer any questions generated by the contents of the release.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Det. Jennifer L. McFarland.

Press Release

To: All media outlets
From: Det. Jennifer L. McFarland
	Public Information Officer
CC: Latah County Sheriff's Office
Date: 19 August 2005
RE: Changes in service

As of the publication of this release, the Latah County Sheriff's Office
will be temporarily changing our response to certain incidents due to
factors beyond our immediate control.

As you are all aware, fuel prices have been on a steep increase in the past
several months-with no end to the incline in sight.  Insufficient allowances
were written into the previous budget to accommodate for such increases.  As
the County heads into the next budget year (October), we are also heading
into increased financial burdens due to several factors, including the
McMillan trial.  Unfortunately, these factors, have forced the Sheriff's
Office to restructure our response to crimes.

As always, we will remain a full-time, full-service law enforcement agency,
but the public will have to understand certain calls that previously merited
personal contact will now be handled by telephone.  If you call the
Sheriff's Office to report such crimes as: a misdemeanor property crime, a
telephone harassment, petit theft (with no suspects), or a non-reportable
traffic accident, expect that your call will be handled courteously and
professionally over the telephone (the preceding list is not all-inclusive).
You might be requested to file a written complaint at the Sheriff's Office
rather than have a deputy respond to your home for certain reports.
Additionally, we ask that citizens requesting VIN (vehicle identification
number) checks bring their vehicle (when possible) along with any pertinent
documents to the DMV or to the Sheriff's Office for inspection.  Of course
when such arrangements cannot be made, we will schedule a specific time for
the inspection.  Other calls for service might be affected as well.

In an effort to reduce our fuel consumption, deputies will operate in teams
and will spend more time on foot-patrol or stationary-radar patrol.
The Sheriff's Office will not reduce any emergency services nor will we
falter in our commitment to excellent service and professionalism.  We
continue to strive to give Latah County reliable and dedicated law
enforcement.  We hope that these cut-backs are, indeed, temporary and that
we will be able to return to our normal procedures as soon as possible.

Any questions or comments regarding this release should be directed to PIO
Jennifer L. McFarland.   

Detective Jennifer L. McFarland
Latah County Sheriff's Office
Public Information Officer
PO Box 8068
Moscow, Idaho 83843
(208) 882-2216
Fax (208) 883-2281

Truth is the summit of being; justice is the application of it to affairs.
***Ralph Waldo Emerson