SHERIFF: Hayden 'deal' a dud

Our county commissioner, Bruce Mattare, says the city of Hayden gets a sweetheart deal on law enforcement coverage from the county. I've been a resident of the city of Hayden for 17 years, live on a cul-de-sac, Hillview Drive, and voted for Mr. Mattare, as well as our sheriff. In those 17 years, I have seen only one sheriff patrol car on our street. I'm retired from the military and spend a great deal of time outside, so chances are I'd see one once in a while, but no. 

On one hand, we've had no crime on our street, other than a burglary a few years ago. Is our low crime rate due to the presence of law enforcement, or is it due to good, law-abiding citizenry?  I respect law enforcement and appreciate what they do for us, but I question the formula for determining the number of deputies our community requires.  

A few years ago, Hayden had 4 deputies and that seemed fine to me, but then, I don't know the number of service calls completed last year, but it seems to me that number should be easily obtainable, and the number of deputies required should be based on that number, as well as the population, not merely on a formula based on the population of the city. 

Last week, as I was heading west on Miles Avenue, and approached the intersection of Miles and Reed Road, a deputy was stopped at the stop sign, headed south and as I entered the intersection, a car heading north blew through the stop sign and caused me to lock up my brakes and barely miss t-boning him.  The deputy apparently was busy looking on his computer at something, as he NEVER SAW or heard what happened right in front of him.  It blew me away!  

So much for Hayden receiving such a smoking good deal on law enforcement coverage! Just sayin'...

DAVE SHELDON

Hayden