. . . just another reason for a new jail.
Last Sunday, the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Offices and Jail was flooded by a sprinkler head that was tampered with by an inmate. The flooding caused over $5,000 in estimated damages, the Sheriff’s Office reported.
Corrections deputies quickly learned that the heavy water flow was from a sprinkler head that had been tampered with by an inmate. The amount of water quickly overwhelmed the drains and flooded the entire first floor of the jail. Corrections Deputies, Sergeants and inmate workers pulled together to mitigate the water flow and guide it to drainage.
The water began seeping into the Sheriff’s Office administrative space, which is located below the jail. Large volumes of water penetrated portions of the Sheriff’s Office ceiling, causing significant damage to interview rooms, offices and electronic equipment.
Corrections staff contacted Whatcom County Facilities Department, which maintains the jail facility. The Bellingham Fire Department was also contacted and was able to turn off the main water line approximately 15-20 minutes later.
Flooding from the jail is an ongoing concern. Over the years, broken pipes (including sewage pipes) and inmate vandalism have led to numerous flooding incidents.
Estimated damages from this flooding are currently over $5,000.00 and growing. Probable cause exists to charge the inmate with Malicious Mischief First Degree.
“The water began seeping into the Sheriff’s Office administrative space, which is located below the jail. Large volumes of water penetrated portions of the Sheriff’s Office ceiling, causing significant damage to interview rooms, offices and electronic equipment.” ~Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office
Whatcom County Officials are preparing to place another jail tax on the November ballot for the third time in eight years. That measure would build a new and larger facility and include provisions for mental health and substance abuse treatment, along with programs to keep individuals out of jail.
My opinion? It’s time Whatcom County voted “Yes” to a new jail. It benefits all parties, including inmates, the public and police. Clearly, the safety of Whatcom County’s police officers is at risk when hijinks like this take place.
