Malicious mischief in the third degree: An early childcare and family support services center located on the 300 block of Madison Avenue reported graffiti, theft and vandalism occurred sometime after closing for the weekend, from Oct. 31 until reopening Nov. 3. Wooden stumps used as playground equipment were pulled up and out of the ground and tossed around, the bell used to call children was missing and parts of the fence were broken. Also, someone etched the word “books” into the front window of the center.

Theft in the third degree: A 54-year-old woman who lives on the 100 block of Harbor Square Loop noticed that her car door was slightly open. A red leather heart-shaped key ring with a car key that was on the passenger seat was missing, as was a key chain with a big green Lego piece with her Post Office box key and storage unit keys.

Nov. 3

Jon Bingham is in his second week of work after being hired by the city as Bainbridge Island Police Department’s newest officer.

Bingham is a longtime Bainbridge resident and previously served as a reserve officer with the BIPD for nearly six years.

Bingham comes to the Bainbridge Island Police Department after working the last three years with the Suquamish Police Department.

“Joining the BIPD is a great opportunity for me to give back and serve the community I was raised in,” Bingham said in a news release.

With Bingham’s hiring, Police Chief Matthew Hamner said three vacant officers positions remain to be filled. When BIPD is fully staffed, it has 19 officers and two administrators, which includes Hamner and a deputy chief.

Bainbridge Island Police Department released a report Friday detailing its efforts to meet the recommendations of a peer assessment conducted over the winter. The Washington Association of Sheriff’s and Police Chiefs report highlighted the need for new leadership at the department and identified numerous areas in the organization where improvement was needed.

The working document released by BIPD (and posted below) shows what actions the department is taking to meet those recommendations and what changes are already complete. City Manager Doug Schulze made the document available in his weekly report, along with an update on Crisis Intervention Team Training.

According to Schulze, 11 of the island’s 18 sworn officers have completed the 40-hour training, which prepares first responders for situations involving the mentally ill. The entire force will have received the training by the end of October, Schulze said. The need for Crisis Intervention Training was a key finding in the Ostling trial last year.

The updates come as the department prepares to transition to new leadership. Newly-hired Police Chief Matthew Hamner (pictured) is expected to start Monday. There will be a public swearing-in ceremony and reception for Hamner at 7 p.m. June 20 at City Hall. Interim Public Safety Director Larry Dickerson has led the department since last summer and will assist with the transition.

LEMAP Response – Working Document 6-6-13 (2) by tsooter

There’s been some rumors circulating that the city may eliminate the Bainbridge Island Police Department and contract with the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office for routine patrols and all other law enforcement matters.

According to Interim Police Chief Jon Fehlman, the rumors are just that.

“That’s just the rumor mill,” he said today. “I don’t want to add credence to a rumor so I’m not going to address it.”

Fehlman said there has been no talk between the BIPD, the city or the county on the possibility of swapping police for deputies.

The idea has been floated by some residents and a few City Council members who are trying to find ways to make big cuts to fit a rapidly shrinking budget.

The sheriff’s office confirmed this week that they’ve received a few calls from island residents who’d like to explore the possibility of having deputies patrol the island again (as they did before the island incorporated in the early 1990s).

“There have been some inquiries made, by a number of citizens of (Bainbridge), to determine if the sheriff would be available to discuss law enforcement issues,” sheriff’s office spokesman Scott Wilson told Kitsap Sun crime reporter Josh Farley.

While the sheriff is open to talk, his deputies have plenty to keep them busy without patrolling the island’s 28 square miles and serving its 24,000 residents.

“A challenge would certainly be presented to us if KCSO was asked to assist Bainbridge Island with law enforcement responsibilities,” Sheriff Steve Boyer wrote in an email sent by Wilson. “It is not, as some might perceive, empire building… we’ve got enough on our plate as it is. But if it would result in a beneficial change for the citizens of the county, then I would be enthusiastic about undertaking such a challenge.”

Fehlman said the BIPD has one of the fastest emergency response times in the county. He declined to speculate how response times or other matters might be affected if the department his replaced.

What do you think? Would you rather cut costs and depend on deputies, or keep the island’s own force intact? Vote on the Bainbridge Conversation’s new blog poll over to the right.