Jefferson County Sheriff’s Foundation Steps Up to Help

Jefferson County Sheriff’s Foundation Steps Up to Help

by | Jan 9, 2021 | General

A community partnership between retired law enforcement officers and civilians has been educating seniors and property owners about scams and crime prevention, bringing cheer to those needing a little love, and helping active-duty deputies do their jobs safely. The Jefferson County Sheriffs Foundation was created in 2003 by former Sheriff Mike Brasfield to provide financial support for programs and activities beyond the reach of public funding. As local governments face sharply reduced revenue, the Foundation finds it is needed more than ever.

Ken Przygocki is the Foundation’s new President. He is a former Washington State Patrol sergeant and Detroit policeman. He has two sons in law enforcement, including Brandon, a sergeant with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. The new Vice President is Ryan Lammers, manager of Hadlock Building Supply. They sat down for an interview with Port Townsend Free Press to explain what the Foundation does and its goals for the coming year.

The Foundation is not nearly as well known as other Jefferson County charities. “That’s one of our biggest faults,” says Lammers. “It’s not out there enough.” But its activities are well known to the people it has been helping for nearly two decades.

Educating Seniors and Crime Prevention

The Foundation provides a training entitled, “Introduction to Crime and Fraud Prevention for Senior Citizens.” The program is sponsored by Kitsap Bank. Seniors too easily fall victim to fraud schemes, ranging from scam calls for fake charities to shakedowns that exploit fear of the IRS.  One scam that recently surfaced in Jefferson County involves communications to seniors purporting to be from someone they know in which the caller asks that gift cards be purchased and sent them as a favor or to get them out of an emergency. Another scam targeting seniors is a call or email telling them that a warrant has been issued and they will be arrested unless they pay a certain amount of money.

“If there really is a warrant for you,” Przygocki said, “you can’t buy your way out. If it’s really bad, you won’t get an email. You will get a knock on your door.”

Another scam that targets seniors is an email or call that their grandson has been arrested and funds are needed to get him out of jail. The Foundation stays abreast of the latest scams and covers them in its trainings.

Sadly, seniors and the disabled fall victim to care givers who manipulate them into providing powers of attorney that lead to their assets being cleaned out. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Foundation seminar teaches the warning signs and steps to take before a vulnerable person finds themselves the victim of crime by someone they thought they could trust.

The Foundation will also provide on-site crime prevention assessments for private residences and businesses. For example, they performed this service for the SKP mobile home park on Anderson Lake Road. A team of four people fully inspected the property and the housing units and advised on placement of cameras, security for windows, removal of shrubbery, placement of signage, formation of a neighborhood watch and other measures.

Crime is sadly increasing in our community, particularly burglaries. On the morning of this interview, a burglary followed by a pursuit in the Tri-Community Area ended only for law enforcement to be called to another burglary and pursuit at Cape George. This comes on the heels of perhaps an unprecedented number of break-ins and thefts from Port Townsend to Fat Smitty’s at the bottom of Discovery Bay. Some of the criminals have been locals, but a large number are from outside the county. Law enforcement sources tell Port Townsend Free Press that Jefferson County has become the target for criminals based in Kitsap County who see this area as easy pickings with less risk of apprehension.

The seminars are provided at no charge. They are offered to any kind of organization, including homeowner and business groups. To arrange one, see the contact information at the end of this article.

Holiday Cheer

Jefferson County deputies dug into their own pockets to help a family that had just lost their father. They reached out to Ken Przygocki to act as Santa Claus to deliver the gifts.

This is something the Foundation hopes to do more of in the coming year. The Sheriff’s Office cannot accept donations, but the Foundation, as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, can and the donor may get the benefit of a tax deduction. A generous woman recently donated a motor home which the Foundation auctioned for a nice sum of money.

Helping more families enjoy bright moments in dark times is one of the Foundation’s major goals for the coming year.

Helping Deputies Do Their Jobs and Stay Healthy

The Sheriff’s Office operates under a budget set by the Board of County Commissioners. Those funds do not cover nearly enough. The Foundation has provided ammunition so deputies can maintain proficiency with their firearms. It has provided Tac Vests that go over body armor and relieve the stress on spinal columns and back muscles caused by the heavy weight of the gear deputies carry on their belts.

A deputy’s job puts a lot of wear and tear on their bodies. They have to lift people, run through woods, and subdue those who resist arrest or attempt to harm others. The Foundation was able to provide the Sheriff’s Office with fitness equipment to keep those critical bodies strong and fit. They have also provided deputies with a handbook on Washington state law that can be carried with them on patrol.

“Deputies constantly need something,” Przygocki says. “Things break, wear out. The Foundation can help chip in when the need arises and budgets are limited.”

Individuals wanting to target their donations to addressing a particular need or program may do so, Lammers says.

The best way to contact the Foundation is through their Facebook Page at “Jefferson County Sheriff’s Foundation.” Their website is currently undergoing some work.

Evergreen Fitness is Open for Business

Evergreen Fitness is Open for Business

by | Jan 6, 2021 | Local Businesses

“Let’s do this!” says Michelle West, owner of Evergreen Fitness in the Glen Cove area south of Port Townsend. “Starting 5:30 a.m. Monday January 11, we are open.”

Under the guidelines for fitness establishments announced by Governor Inslee on January 5, Evergreen Fitness may have up to 22 people at a time in its cavernous, multi-level facility. The rules require 500 square feet for each athlete (yes, if you’re 82 years old and you’re in the gym, you are an athlete). Also, exercise classes will be permitted to resume in groups of no more than five people. Just dropping by is not permitted. Members must make appointments to get the blood flowing again and start working off those extra COVID lock-down pounds. Each session may last up to 45 minutes.

West was already launching the “Jefferson County Health and Fitness Challenge” on January 11. That will be an eight-week program, with Zoom meetings, personal attention from a NASM accredited trainer, weekly challenges, and instructional materials. Participants may also enroll in beginner or intermediate guided walks or a special fitness assessment with two fitness routines customized for their home equipment. Registration starts at $39.

As part of the challenge, participants can win 20% of the fees collected, with 5% awarded to first and second runners-up.

Reopening means six employees getting back to work. In addition to its sprawling main floor with free weights, work-out equipment and cardio machines, Evergreen has an upstairs exercise floor and two sizable studios. Its large size will allow it to take full benefit of the Governor’s provisions for reopening.

And there’s a massage studio and tanning rooms that have remained in business the whole time, in compliance with the Governor’s guidelines. The juice bar will also reopen.

“I’m so grateful,” says West, “to members who jumped with us through all the changing hoops and rules and continued to be supportive and encouraging.”

No one has lost time off their contracts. West is extending all existing contracts to add on the days when the gym was closed. Evergreen is accepting new members.

For more information, call 360-302-1132 or click evergreenfitness.net. Members may begin reserving their workout and class time by logging on to myiclubonline.com. Spots in the gym areas may be reserved up to ten days in advance and up to eight days in advance for classes. The classes will include live senior group fitness leaders and virtual Les Mills instructors. Reservations may be made now.

West has been resourceful in keeping her business alive. It has been hard. She’s seen membership renewals drop and revenues plummet. She’s kept her building dark and cold and taken other steps in her business and personal life to save money. But she’s kept busy, promoting health and fitness and keeping members updated with regular email communications. She has worked closely with local government and health authorities to seek clarification on sometimes vague guidelines and bring her facility into compliance with all that is required of her. She has talked with many members personally to encourage them, not just to be patient, but also to take care of themselves and not let their health suffer.

Just as she’s encouraged members, they’ve also encouraged her. Now with the clouds lifting, the lights will be coming on in Evergreen Fitness.