Lapotka addresses Neighborhood Watch group
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the St. Ignatius Neighborhood Watch
ST. IGNATIUS — Assistant Lake County Attorney James Lapotka stressed that his office is concentrating on the drug problem in Lake County in a statement during the June 16 meeting of the St. Ignatius Neighborhood Watch.
“We are being very aggressive on meth crimes,” he said. Drugs, but especially meth, represent a very serious situation in the county, he added. As an indication of how serious the problem is and how aggressive the county attorney’s office is in its efforts to address the problem, he said the office prosecuted 204 felonies all of last year. This year, it has already prosecuted 230 felony cases.
He said the prescription drug abuse problem in the county is still bad but it is declining. A network that helps pharmacists detect “doctor shopping” is helping with that problem. However, he said heroin use has started to show up again.
He also said drug use is usually the driving force behind property crimes. He said people can reduce the likelihood of burglary by looking around the perimeter of their property and trimming vegetation and adding light to dark places. Flood lights work well, as do motion activated lights, he said. But unlike the way many people perceive the image of burglars, more often than not, the thieves are somebody the victim knows.
“Don’t show off your stuff,” he said. The most often stolen items are portable things like guns, iPads, laptops and power tools that can be easily transported and sold. He suggested people take photos of items with their smart phones and email the photos to themselves for later reference if they are stolen. Writing down serial numbers is also a good idea, he added.
Lapotka suggested people put the non-emergency sheriff’s office and tribal law enforcement numbers in their phones for easy access. The non-emergency number for the sheriff’s dispatch office is 406-883-7301. The tribal number is 406-675-4700. He asked people not to dial 911 unless the situation is an urgent emergency.
Lapotka, who is also the Town of St. Ignatius’ attorney, advised residents not to call the St. Ignatius Police Department for any problem that requires a timely response, he said. The sheriff’s dispatcher can contact the town police as needed.
After Lapotka’s presentation, the question was asked as to whether the St. Ignatius Neighborhood Watch chapter was just for town residents. Chapter President Mack McConnell said that is not the case.
“Although the name is the St. Ignatius Neighborhood watch, perhaps we should call ourselves the St. Ignatius area Neighborhood Watch,” McConnell said. “We realize the crime problem is present in our rural areas too and we welcome everyone to participate in this anti-crime effort.”
The St. Ignatius chapter meets at 7 p.m. on every third Tuesday of the month in the St. Ignatius Senior Citizens Center.
