Law & Justice serve "A-Rest Warrants"
Sheriff Tom Jones and Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team members get ready to serve Kathy Gardener her "A Rest" warrant at her Moses Lake home.
EPHRATA - Normally, you would not want to see members of the Grant County Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team (INET) come to your home.
But on Monday, Dec. 22, three Grant County families were elated they did. INET members carried out grand acts of Christmas charity for one Quincy and two Moses Lake families.
By the end of the day, some of the folks may have thought they had experienced a miracle.
The three families were taken by surprise at the gesture of kindness, but they were aware before it arrived. The INET served "A-Rest Warrants" at each of their homes. It was law and justice taking community policing to a whole new level.
After seeing viral videos of other police agencies surprising people with Christmas gifts, Grant County Sheriff Tom Jones said, INET detectives decided to deliver surprise Christmas gifts to three families in need.
Since INET serves search warrants, the detectives thought it would be appropriate to serve A-Rest Warrants, thus giving the three families a well-deserved rest.
The INET asked several members of Grant County's criminal justice system to help, and all of the officials stood up and said: count me in.
Accompanying INET members throughout the day were Prosecutor-elect Garth Dano, District Court Judge Tyson Hill, Superior Court Judge John Antosz, Public Defense Attorney Robert Schiffner, Grant County Sheriff Tom Jones, Moses Lake Police Chief Dave Ruffin, Quincy Police Chief Robert Heimbach, Sheriff's Support Staff members Bobbee Poplawski and Donna Harrington, and sheriff's deputies, police officers and state troopers.
It was a sight to see, public officials approaching people's front doors with arm loads of gifts. And then stepping inside and sharing a few moments with the families.
Three families were selected with the help of local churches, and each family's clergy was on hand during the serving of A-rest warrants. The three families were chosen in the jurisdiction of each agency participating in INET (Moses Lake, Grant County, and Quincy).
With contributions from local businesses totaling more than $5,000, INET and the local officials delivered the following holiday help:
* Sheriff's Office Support Staff decorated each home with Christmas ornaments.
* During the 'warrant service', a free commercial meal of the family's choice was delivered to the home.
* Each family's power bill was paid, and they were given three month's of credit.
* Each family received cards for a car oil change, car wash and fuel.
* Each child was given at least two gifts to unwrap on Christmas morning.
* Each family was given a traditional holiday meal, including a spiral ham and all the trimmings.
* The adults in the household were given a night out, including haircuts, manicures, childcare, dinner and a movie. The adults were also given a gift card to shop for immediate household needs.
Dressed in camouflage raid gear and with Santa beards covering their faces, INET detectives accompanied by public officials visited the three families to deliver the gifts. The judge on-hand read from the 'A Rest Warrant' and presented each family with a framed copy.
"There were few dry eyes as the deliveries were made, and each family was clearly appreciative of the assistance," Jones said.
The families who were served A Rest Warrants this year are:
Kathy Gardener of Moses Lake, who cares for her six grandchildren: grandsons Dejaun age 14, Deonte age 10, and Demajae, age 4; and granddaughters Deahnna age 9, Dezjahnna age 7, and Deajae age 6;
Keith and Elizabeth Douvier of Moses Lake and their sons Landon age 2, and five-month-old Rusty; and
Maria Terrones of Quincy, her son Moses, age 6, and daughters Noe, age 4, and Itzel age 2.
Jones said: "I am honored to be part of such a great team that came up with this project idea, pulling partner agencies and businesses together to make Christmas special for these families."
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