There’s an air of unease at this home in Josephine County.
“Made my coffee, open the blinds as normal, saw a bullet hole through my living room window,” said Jake Forest, who is a Josephine County resident.
He said it happened around 10:30 on the night of March 21st. He filed an online report and two deputies came out. But days later he said his online report was rejected and he doesn’t know why.
He said he’s tried to get a hold of someone with no luck. Forest said the lack of resources at the sheriff’s office is disconcerting. He’s unsure if a full investigation will take place.
Forest said he’s not unhappy with the sheriff’s office, in fact he says they did all they could with the money they have.
“I have no detectives at this point,” said Josephine County Sheriff Gil Gilbertson.
He said cases have been piling up and without the staff, investigators can’t keep up.
On Wednesday the Oregon Senate passed a bill that would extend emergency help for counties in need until 2016. It’s headed to the House for consideration.
Also, a new tax levy will be on the ballot this May. It’s proposing $1.48 per $1000 of assessed property value.
“I’ve never needed law enforcement protection and the time I do need it, it simply isn’t there,” said Forest.
Meantime, Forest is trying to take matters into his own hands…installing cameras and an alarm system.
“Someone who takes a shot at you once is going to take a shot at you a second time,” he said.
Sheriff Gilbertson said if the levy doesn’t pass this time around, there could be more cuts to an already stretched sheriff’s office.
He also said it’s a possibility Forest’s report was rejected because the website was down.
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