Ridgefield Blotter November 2 thru 8, 2019

A slight change is in order. I want to highlight particularly important issues at the top of the blotter, so the first item on this one is out sequence.

I wish I'd opened the police report the moment I got it. I should have reported it here and also let other news outlets know about what the Security Guard at Ridgefield High School allegedly did immediately.

THE BLOTTER
11/7, 2:07 pm, Case #19000479, Type: SEX OFFENSE, "The security officer at the high school asked a minor female for her SnapChat and then asked her to exchange explicit photos. He then followed and surveiled the female and her minor female friend on several occasions, placing them in fear. He was cited by mail (address redacted by the City of Ridgefield).

11/2, 12:08 pm, An offspring up and offed with the family Toyota Camry sans permission, apparently for an as yet unended (at time of reporting) jaunt to Portland. The Camry was listed as 'stolen' in the system.

11/0, 9:27, redacted text.

11/3, 1:02 am, A 19 year-old victim was brought to Legacy Salmon Creek for a possible sexual assault. At the time of reporting, victim did not recall where the incident took place, but she lives in Ridgefield. Upon investigation, it was determined the sexual assault occurred in Portland, Oregon. Information provided to PPB and courtesy report taken.

11/3, 10:01 pm. On 11/4, a woman was arrested inside her vehicle for an outstanding misdemeanor warrant for assault IV-Domestic Violence. Subject was transported and booked in the Clark County Jail.

(Writer's note: It's in the public's interest to know if this is the same female who allegedly, on October 18 of this year, 'repeatedly pounded on the door and called and text' a woman who had a lawful restraining order against her husband and anyone acting on his behalf. I'm not able to make that determination from this report as a lot of usually publicly available information has been redacted by the City of Ridgefield).

11/4, 8:41 pm, N 1st Circle, driver stop lead to arrest for DLWS and misdemeanor warrant. Vehicle impounded.

11/5, 10 pm, S. 46th Place, a female suspect was cited and arrested for hitting her boyfriend about the neck and head with a large bed frame post. The suspect then hit the stepchild in the face. Two counts of IV-Domestic Violence.

11/6, 6:42 am, a male attempted suicide near his mother's grave. He was transported to the hospital for evaluation.

11/7, 7:30 am, an unlicensed dude appeared to be trying to show off (my interpretation, not the reporting officer's) by riding 'negligently' near the high school on an unregistered and uninsured red motorcycle as students were leaving. The motorcycle had 'switched plates' which were seized and logged into evidence. Closed, Cited by Infraction.

11/7, 9:27 am, N Noble Loop, Domestic Violence--Info, a spouse locked out of the house a smoking person who was allegedly making the dogs bark who was also his wife.  Domestic Violence--Information. Closed--Not an Offense.

11/7, 2:23 pm, A person left a note indicating that they 'could not do this anymore,' and left all personal property at the residence and drove off in their vehicle. Their information was broadcast countywide, as well as provided to BOEC. The person returned late that night.

11/7, 9:30 pm, Runaway report of juvenile. Open as of reviewing this report.

11/8, 8:23 am, Domestic Violence--information at this time, Girlfriend called to say boyfriend took her phone. He was contacted and returned the phone but accused her of damaging his car. Officer was unable to determine who actually damaged the car, or if there was intent to steal the phone.

11/8, 8:54 am, N 1st Cir, the window glass on the front door was damaged when a customer exited the business. The customer was driving a white, late-model Chevrolet extended cab truck. It is not clear if the customer knew he damaged the door glass. Closed. Suspended. Inactive.

(Writer's note: The City of Ridgefield redacted the address of the above business for "privacy" reasons. The City is redacting all addresses on all police reports, as well as other information that would normally be openly accessible to the public. If you're interested in what legally constitutes an 'unreasonable invasion' of privacy in Washington, the term was defined by the Washington Supreme Court in Hearst Corp v Hoppe, case 45379.)

11/8, 7:24 pm, Domestic Violence--information, Spousal verbal disturbance. Closed--Not an Offense.

NOT THE BLOTTER
As I said at the top, I wish I'd reported the information about the alleged Sex Offense at Ridgefield High School the moment I received the report from the City.

I didn't do that because I didn't open the report immediately. When I received the report via email I didn't open it at first because I knew I'd be grumpy at what I assumed, correctly, would be on the report--metastasizing, blacked out redactions.

And it should be noted that the Ridgefield Police Department provided the report in a timely fashion.

But, my own fear and assumptions of anger at what the City hopes to keep secret should not have kept me from immediately seeing (and thus reporting) this information. I apologize. You had the right to know about the Sex Offense and alleged offender as soon as it was available to me.

If you're interested in open government and the public's right to know, PM me here, or comment most civilly below, or send me an email chrisrushdudley at g mail dot com.

Thanks. This blog is also available at CrisisCycling.com