Sheriff, community members discuss recent suspicious activity

WAITSBURG—Walla Walla County Sheriff Mark Crider, Undersheriff Joe Klundt, and fifteen Waitsburg community members met in a virtual meeting on Tuesday, August 25, to discuss recent suspected criminal activity in the city.

Matthew Wyatt, who lives in the neighborhood where Skylar I. Glasby was arrested earlier this month on unlawful imprisonment and domestic violence charges, said now, more than ever, he fears for the safety of his family, and his community. Glasby was released earlier this week on a $2,500 bail.

Wyatt also noted that he and his wife, Krystal, have received multiple, verified death threats, and had an incident where an individual was held at gunpoint in his yard for at least 20 minutes. The incident was not connected to the arrests that were made earlier this month but, is part of a series of events that has left the couple feeling unsafe in their own home.

Community members in attendance described drug transactions witnessed in front of their homes, at the fairgrounds and the school athletic fields. It was expressed by several attendees that the current uptick in crime and drug activity seems significantly different than in the past.

Many of the community’s issues were connected with the renters at the fairgrounds, who have since vacated. City Councilman Jim Romine clarified that the city manager has been given explicit instructions that the fairgrounds R.V. area is only available for short-term rentals in the future. Only visitors’ passing through,’ like hunters, fairground event participants, City-contracted construction workers, or other temporary renters will be considered. The campsites will be available to visitors on a week-by-week basis only.

A resident near the fairgrounds spoke about a text-chat neighborhood watch that has been monitoring the situation at the fairgrounds, going as far as getting photos of cars that had been ‘rattle can’ painted, license plates, and more. Crider said he ‘wholeheartedly’ endorsed the idea of a neighborhood watch, saying that it not only made people feel safer, but it also provided credible information needed to build a case against the individuals engaged in the suspicious activity. Former Councilmember, Kate Hockersmith asked if the sheriff’s office should be notified if neighborhood watch groups are formed and Cryder said it was not necessary.

Sheriff Crider assured the call attendees that the actions taken so far have been the correct actions. Reporting suspicious activity, providing descriptions of cars, persons, and license plates (if able to obtain safely) provide details to build a case. Citizens should never take unnecessary risks in an effort to do the sheriff’s job.

Crider said that the office sends three deputies out at once and they are spread thin over the county, making it difficult to respond to calls if they are not in the area. To ensure the quickest response, dispatch may contact other law enforcement departments, including Columbia County, to respond to an emergency if they are closer.

Sheriff Crider assured the call attendees that his office is very aware of the activities in Waitsburg, and encouraged everyone to continue reporting suspicious activity, giving as detailed information as safely possible- a description of a person, or a car (make, model, color), a description of the event, and where it took place. If there is an immediate emergency, dial 9-1-1. The Walla Walla County Non-Emergency line is (509) 524-1960.

Information can be reported to Undersheriff Joe Klundt at jklundt@county.walla-walla.wa.us.