Graffiti is part of drug trade
MOSES LAKE - The Grant County Association of Cities and Towns discussed the relation of drugs, crime and gangs Thursday night.
Representatives for the cities of Ephrata, Moses Lake, Quincy, Soap Lake, Warden and Wilson Creek met as the association Thursday to address the issues of juvenile crime and gang activities.
The association passed a resolution requesting the Grant County Board of Commissioners approve funds for two additional prosecutors to send juveniles to jail who commit misdemeanor offenses.
"Grant County and the cities and towns within it have been subject to an increasing rash of gang activity, especially tagging of property with gang graffiti. That tagging creates a climate of intimidation among some citizens of the cities and towns. In all aspects it degrades the quality of life for every citizen and flaunts the defiance of the rule of law by the perpetrators," according to the resolution.
Gang related crimes are often property crimes and they are the crimes making citizens angry, Grant County Sheriff Frank DeTrolio said. The damage affects citizens whether it is a damaged vehicle or home.
He said although other crimes are down in the State of Washington, property crimes are up 32 percent.
DeTrolio attributes a large amount of the property crimes to methamphetamine use.
"We have a society that's drug crazy, cocaine, heroin, and believe me, it's in this town, in this county," he said.
DeTrolio said gangs are proving their prevalence by marking their perceived territory by spray painting their gang affiliation on walls, buildings and streets.
"These are things we are blessed with every day," he said sarcastically.
DeTrolio said the State of Washington is ranked at the bottom in the nation for police presence. If there were more officers available, it would result in more arrests, but more prosecutors will be needed to send the criminals to jail leading to a need of more jail and prison space.
"It's a never-ending cycle; we (need) a different plan," he said.