Briefs: July 11, 2019

FIVE JUVENILES LINKED TO CRIME SPREE

Five Colfax juveniles, ages 12 to 15, have been identified in an investigation that included alleged break-in of the Rotary fireworks stand at Rosauer’s and the city pool. Also, early Thursday morning, Colfax police received reports of vehicles prowls and later identified the teens who had been involved.

Colfax Officer Perry Tate said as many as 15 vehicles were entered in what was apparently a search for cigarettes.

He noted the lone item taken from the fireworks stand was a $39 packet which was determined to be unsalable.

Also involved in the spree were incidents of graffiti painting including the monument at Codger Pole Park.

According to a report from Sheriff Brett Myers, after the teens were apprehended they assisted locating most of the items that had been reported missing.

FACES WALLET PALMING CHARGE

Frederick Wilson, 21, Moscow, has been summoned to appear in court here July 19 after being charged with taking a wallet which was allegedly left on the counter of Floyd’s Cannabis Co. on Pullman Airport Road. Wilson was formally charged with second-degree theft July 2.

According to the investigation report by Deputy Vince Waltz, the alleged victim inadvertently left the wallet on the counter at the business, and a male later identified as Wilson was observed in surveillance video “palming” the wallet off the counter. The report said Wilson could not be identified until he came back in the store several days later, and the clerk was able to get a photograph of his driver’s license.

MALE FLASHER VANISHES

Colfax Police at 12:13 p.m. July 1 received a report of an adult male who was urinating in the alley behind Purpose Roasters between Stevens and Rock streets. The suspect allegedly left his pants unzipped and propositioned a woman.

Colfax officer Perry Tate responded to the scene and later had the assistance of three sheriff’s deputies. Tate said the general description of the suspect lacked specifics, and three potential suspects were stopped but determined not to be the suspected flasher.

Surveillance cameras on buildings in the area did not get a photo of the suspect.

CITY BACKFLOW NOTICE GETS REACTION

A second Colfax request for residents to complete a survey to check for possible backflow contamination into the water system has brought a series of protests from residents, city council members reported July 1. The mailout last week included a notice that water service may be shut off at houses where occupants fail to compete the survey questions.

Public Works Director Matt Hammer said he doesn’t want to cut off water service to anyone on the city system, but the city under state law can take that action. Hammer stressed the survey is a public health measure to help the city to prevent backflow contamination to the water system.

He noted the last survey was in 2003, and needed to be updated. The survey asks residents to identify possible hookups where water pressure could be reversed and contaminated water flow back into the system.

Hammer reported the first survey mailed out at the end of March brought in less that 300 responses which would be less than 25 percent of the number mailed out.

Councilman Jim Kackman said he would like to see a copy of the ordinance which empowers the city to shut off water service to a resident who fails to comply with a response to a survey request. He said he would like to have a look at the ordinance to be familiar with the basis for the city’s action.

Councilwoman Crystal Christopherson said she has listened to many complaints from residents who objected to being threatened with a water shutoff. The notice also generated reaction on local Facebook postings.

Hammer pointed out the first mailout to the 1,200 customers on the city’s system cost $600, and with the second mailout the city has now spent $1,200 in an attempt to get the survey done. City staffers attempted to eliminate residents who responded from the second mailing, but some could have received the notice because of the city’s bulk mailing program.

No residents present at Monday’s meeting made an objection.

MASKED STOPLIGHTS REMOVED

State crews July 2 removed the set of stoplights at the intersection of Spring Street and Main in Colfax which have been out of use since the city turned Spring into a one-way street for eastbound traffic.

The traffic lights had been used to signal westbound traffic when Spring Street was in a two-way mode. After disconnecting the lights, state crews masked them off to signal motorists that they were no longer in operation.

Signals for four-way pedestrian traffic at the intersection remained.