To the Editor,
I practiced criminal law in Clark County, Washington from 2004 to 2009, and in The Dalles from 2009 to 2019, and I can assure you there is no quick policy that will fix the system and the people in it. The best way to help people is using a case-by-case evaluation to address substance abuse and/or mental health issues, generational poverty, and provide support if wanted. There are always defendants who are not ready to address these issues and incarceration hanging over their heads may help. Most of my clients needed additional tools such as sober support, mental health, affordable anger management services and educational services.
If you look at the statistics between Mr. Ellis’ prosecution of referrals from the Oregon State Police, Wasco County Sheriff’s Office, and The Dalles City Police his office has a charge rate which is higher than Eric Nisley’s years. Further, he instituted policies that support fair and just prosecutions by requesting the Court to overturn more than 100 felony, misdemeanor, violation convictions and contempt findings. Mr. Ellis inherited a mess from the former DA, Eric Nisley.
It is disheartening to see a “new” political action committee (“PAC”) concerned with crime called Save Wasco County advocate for Mr. Ellis’ removal especially when one of them wore a shirt stating, “Black Guns Matter.” I speculate that these people have limited to no experience dealing with the criminal justice system. They advocate for an unknown candidate who at a bare minimum must have an active Oregon Bar License to qualify as a District Attorney.
In my opinion, The City of The Dalles should properly fund long-term inpatient/outpatient treatment resources and the above-named services instead of throwing money at bad policies or minor misdemeanor ordinances. Sheriff Magill recently worked on the Columbia Gorge Resolution Center Project. Has the City considered partnering with this program to expand its services?
If the City Council and the PAC are so concerned about how the system functions, then I IMPLORE that everyone involved in making decisions for the city, go observe the Wasco County Circuit Court dockets every Monday starting at 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 2:30 p.m. Further, there is an in-custody docket over Webex every weekday at 1:15 p.m. in the basement courtroom. https://oregonjudicial.webex.com/oregonjudicial/j.php?MTID=m293cfd8073329c938507fec903c4c625
Both Wasco and Hood River Circuit Courts have specialty Courts on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of every month. After Thanksgiving, the Wasco Treatment Court dockets will be on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month. Treatment Court is held at 9:30 a.m. and Mental Health Court is held at 4:00 p.m. on these days. There are no more excuses for failing to observe Wasco County Circuit Court.
I applaud Matt Ellis for refusing to prosecute homeless people whose only possessions are contained in shopping carts. It seems incredibly cruel for the city to try to shut down St. Vincent De Paul and the services they provide. Taking away food, temporary shelter, showers, and laundry facilities from the homeless is heartbreaking. Now, they want to take away their shopping carts!? What a colossal waste of time and money!
Sincerely,
Shannon Tissot, Attorney
The Dalles, OR
