L-R: Deputy Bryce Graham; Sgt. Kelly McCool; Luke Taylor; Lt. Steve Padillo, Manager for the new NW Division; Mohave County Supervisor Don Martin; Aaron Devries; Thomas Stuckey. Connie “Ceejay” Jones
GOLDEN VALLEY, Ariz. – A wide range of subjects was discussed Wednesday, Oct. 28 at the Golden Valley Community Meeting – trash, cameras, rattlesnakes and more. District 4 Sup. Don Martin led the meeting. Mohave County Sheriff representatives provided information on the new Motorola cameras.
Lt. Steve Padillo reported that crime in Golden Valley was down from last year – auto burglaries down 50%; assaults down 30%; burglary down 31.2%.
Flock cameras are gone. The contract for them expired July 1. The county has a new contract with Motorola for Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) cameras. There are 11 of them spread throughout the county. “The cameras take still shots,” Aaron Devries said. “The still shots can read a Z as a 2.”
Devries said there’s a lot of false information on the internet about ALPR cameras, which prompted Sup. Martin to ask, “Has there ever been a Mohave County officer, in the Sheriff’s department, arrested for misusing these cameras?”
Padillo said “no.”
“Did you all hear that?” Martin asked. “Nobody in the Mohave County Sheriff’s office. Do we have a problem with this in our county? No, we don’t and don’t make one up.”
Martin said, “Trust. I trust these people. These are your people so trust them. If it ever comes out that there is something illegal or immoral with the use of these cameras, you will know about it ’cause it’s going to be on the front page.”
Rattlesnake bites and venom were also discussed at the meeting, with Mohave Green rattlesnakes being the most dangerous. Martin said rattlesnakes only have venom in their fangs if they’re defending themselves or are afraid, that the majority of their bites are dry bites. Jennifer Esposito disagreed.
“You should never assume it’s a dry bite,” Esposito said. “Treat it very seriously. It could be a matter of life or death.”
Trash was another big discussion. Martin said he had spent the day in Golden Valley handling complaints about rotten trash.
It was suggested by an audience member that the county bring out a dumpster once a month, charge people for dumping their trash in it, instead of dumping on vacant or abandoned land.
“That’s a great idea,” said meeting organizer Kathy Joye.
Martin said, “Take it to the dump and pay the $8. It’ll cost you $8 to drive to Kingman.” He said if anyone litters in Golden Valley and are caught, they will be cited.
Free Narcan was another subject briefly discussed. All, including Martin, did not support the idea because taxpayers are paying for it. “You’re paying for their drug savior,” Martin stated.
Joye asked what residents could do to help the Sheriff’s office.
“You live here. You know when something looks off. If you see something, say something,” Devries said.
“If you don’t call us, we don’t know about it a lot of times,” said Padillo. He said the caller does not have to give their name, but can choose to remain anonymous.
There will be no more Golden Valley Community meetings until January due to the holidays.
Connie “Ceejay” Jones
cjstandardnews@gmail.com
