Safe City Mattawa named on state list

MATTAWA — Police Chief John Turley informed the Mattawa City Council at its meeting of Aug. 20 that their city is the 16th safest in the state of Washington.

According to Turley, the declaration was made by OnlyInYourState.com, which has a presence on Facebook ant Twitter.

According to the website, OnlyInYourState.com posted information obtained from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It said the FBI organized all of Washington’s crime data from 2013 by community.

OIYS said it posted 20 of the safest or most peaceful communities in the state, as determined by the FBI. OIYS said it did so without ranking the communities, but still it listed them as 1-20.

It listed Mattawa in the No. 16 spot. The No 1 spot was occupied by Carnation. No. 2 was Duvall, No. 3 was Everson, No. 4 was Colfax and No. 5 was Kalama.

Moxee was No. 7, Zillah No. 8, Odessa No. 11, Selah No. 13, Kittitas No. 15, and Tieton No. 19.

“It is never just one thing but a combination of many things… to make it work,” Turley said. “We have an active department that actually works with the community to better itself.”

Turley said his officers go the extra mile and assist the public when they don’t have a clue as to how things are in the justice system. Whether a speeding ticket or protective order or what to expect when they go to court, Turley and his officers and always helping the residents of Mattawa to understand the process.

“We are definitely immersed in a community-oriented way here at Mattawa PD and, as long as I am here, we will continue to treat people the way people should be treated,” Turley said.