Letter: Please support the public safety levy

I strongly support the upcoming levy proposal entitled Support Public Safety that will be on the ballot this May. As I understand it, without passage severe revenue shortages will further restrict hiring in law enforcement and in the District Attorney’s office. As I read Facebook pages for Coos Bay Government and for the Sheriff’s Office, statistics for the number of 911 calls continue to rise and cite and release numbers are, too; there are simply not enough beds at the jail because there isn’t the staff to support full capacity. (While the jail will open another 49 beds due to re-hiring, 98 beds are still not enough.) Considering, too, the lack of prosecutors, our cities cannot function safely. I do not support levy and bond measures routinely, but in this case, I feel strongly that if we do not support this measure crime in our beloved southwest Oregon coast will remove one of the reasons we live here - a safe and inviting community in which to enjoy the great outdoors and the benefits of small town life.

Tami Pleasanton

Coos Bay