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.