The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m.. Approximately 45 people were in attendance.

Regular business items were attended to including minutes of our previous meeting, Treasurer's Report and a report by Joyce on the upcoming bike rodeo.  Joyce passed around a clipboard asking anyone who was interested in helping to sign up.

The topic of the meeting was "The Changing Face of Meth" ..  Guest speakers included: Chief Jeff Parks of the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office,  Lt. Rick Sucee of the Northwest Regional Drug Task Force, Susan York - "Lead on America" and Detective Mark Thomas of the Snohomish County Drug Task Force.

Deputy Langley gave his monthly report and mentioned the recent rash of break- ins.  He again explained how important it is to report things that are suspicious and most especially to report any break-ins.  He spoke of a community member who had been broken into who was not intending to report the break-in but just happened to mention it in passing to Deputy Langley.  Deputy Langley was able to go to the house and lift a good fingerprint.  This will be an important piece of evidence in this current situation and would not have happened without the chance encounter.

Chief Jeff Parks spoke next regarding current trends in the area.  He stated that the crime stats had gone down for awhile but due to the recent rash of break-ins had spiked again (53 burglaries since September, 2005).  He informed the audience of the fact that the problems are occuring in our area during the afternoon and then again at 8:00 p.m.  He, also, spoke to the importance of reporting and the need to see the big picture; namely that everything adds up. The issues that we are dealing with are symptoms of a greater problem and that patience is needed to effect long term change.  These are quality of life issues as well as crime issues.
Chief Parks stated that another reason to continue reporting, even if you don't see immediate results, is the ongoing possibility of funding streams.  Funding sources may come available and without documentation there is little chance to acquire funding, such as grants.
 
Next Lt. Sucee gave a brief overview of the Northwest Regional Drug Task Force, how it is funded and what it focuses on.  They are primarily concerned with upper level drug and gang crimes.  They will take all drug related tips and pass them on to the agencies that will deal with lower level crimes.  He also mentioned  that just calling in and saying that you smelled something suspicious but don't know where it came from does not give them much to go on.  It is best to try to get at much detailed information as possible without endangering yourself.  The NWRDTF is mainly focused on Meth which, he stated, drives  most of the burglaries in Whatcom County.

Susan York of  Lead on America gave a presentation  on how to respond to Meth if you suspect that it is in your neighborhood.  She gave a number of anecdotes regarding her own history and how she came to crusade against Meth.  This was Susan's third visit to KendallWatch.  Her main objective at this meeting was to inspire people to stand up and take back their neighborhoods. " You have to band together to get rid of the bad guys", she stated.  A number of "Don't Meth Around" bracelets were provided and they were distributed to the audience.  Susan said that she prefers to have children take a pledge not to do Meth rather than just distribute the bracelets.  She spoke of the youth summit that Snohomish county holds every year and stated that she would like to see one here in Whatcom County.

Detective Mark Thomas accompanied Susan and gave a brief talk about the way Meth is being distributed now.  More often the small labs are giving way to the Meth that is manufactured in super labs in Mexico and California.  It is more potent and more pure than what is brewed up in the Mom and Pop operations.  He cautioned against the old myths that have gone around regarding shoes on power lines, flags, Christmas lights etc.  He stated that there are any number of methods for dealers to signal that they are open for business.  He also stated that the new methods for cooking Meth don't always emit strong chemical odors any longer.

A question and answer period followed.

Two community announcements were made regarding the upcoming pot luck and blood drive. 

The 50/50 raffle was won by an unknown person who had to leave before the end of the meeting and the money was donated back to the fund ($27.00).  Thanks to whomever it was.

The meeting was adjourned at 9 p.m.

                  Minutes contributed by hubcap3....with thanks!