10 Years Ago 1997

Where are the cops when you want one? In Arlington, like many smaller towns, its a question thats usually easy to answer. Uniformed officers occasionally are seen strolling down Olympic Avenue, speaking to business owners about problems with theft or trespassing. Sometimes, especially during festivals, officers are put in the role of tour guide, giving directions to the nearest public restroom, park or automotive center. Seeing and being seen is all part of the job, according to Arlington Police Chief Steve Robinson, who emphasizes education and community involvement as the best approach to crime prevention. Unfortunately, its a part of the job that is becoming more and more difficult for city officers who are spending more time responding to calls and less time out in the community. The citys police force has handled a record number of calls this year, an increase of 150 calls per month over last years record 763 calls per month. Robinson said he isnt sure of the cause. Were seeing an across-the-board increase in calls, he said. That includes everything from barking dogs to domestic violence. The percent increase in service calls is twice the population growth. Robinson attributes some of the growth to changes in society. People are more apt to call the police now. Ten or 15 years ago, they would have dealt with the problem themselves. They would have gone out and talked to the neighbor about the barking dog. But now people dont want to get involved. They dont know their neighbors. The increase in 911 calls, however, isnt just about barking dogs; the city has also seen an increase in real crime. One of the big challenges this last year has been youth oriented, Robinson said. We have a small group of young people who have been responsible for on-going thefts and disturbances. In the past six months, these youths have been in the immediate vicinity of three stolen guns and they are Arlington area kids we need a way to approach them, give them an outlet. To that end, Robinson is working with the Snohomish County Childrens Commission and Arlington business owners and residents to put together another Youth Summit, which will provide ideas for options. This will be the third such summit in as many years, however, and he wants to be sure something will come of it. I dont believe we have throw away people, Robinson said. But I dont have the answers, either. The city now has 11 commissioned officers one chief, two sergeants and eight on patrol. The citys force is rounded out with five reserve officers and two civilian staff. Each officer plays an important role in the make up of the force. The downside is, when someone leaves, they take part of that with them. Thats what happened with the retirement last spring of Sgt. Dick Butner. When he left, it changed the force, Robinson said. You dont realize how much one person does until theyre gone. There are things that used to get done, that no one ever knew Dick did, that dont get done now.

25 Years Ago 1982

It is always interesting to see what people from distant lands think of our community. The 31 high-school-aged Japanese students, currently halfway through a three-week stay in Arlington, all have a very clear impression of our town. In one word nature. Most of the visitors are from large industrial cities like Tokyo and Yokohama where it is apparent that clean air, clear water and large trees are unknown. The students are also kind enough to cite and applaud the friendliness of Arlington residents. I like Arlington because there are a lot of green fields and many animals, said Satoko Ishikawa, who is staying with the Bob and Paula Gorgert family. Theres a lot of nature in Arlington, said Keiko Shino, staying with the Jake and Betty Barciz family. Japanese houses resemble each other, but American houses look different and are many colors. They are very beautiful. Arlingtons river is very clean, said Shinobu Kojima, staying with the Bill and Jacky Oglive family. But my citys river is very dirty. Fish do not live in the river we cannot see within the river. Keiko Chigusa, guest of the Helen Tyrrell family, was most impressed with the local plant life. When I went for a walk around my home with Connie, I saw lots of plants. Trees in Arlington are much bigger than Japanese trees. At first I was surprised at them. And the berries in the woods are delicious. I like the people of Arlington because they are very kind and cheerful, said Miriko Yasui, staying with the Richard and Gloria Johnson family. The vast land is wonderful and everything is fresh. Yasuyoshi Kano, guest of the Bill and Linda Legler family, was perhaps a little overwhelmed by Arlingtons open spaces. My house is far from the town of Arlington and we can see mountains from here. The view is very beautiful and it is very silent, she said. But sometimes I feel it is too silent for me to live here. The students attend classes in American culture and conversational English most mornings and have taken a number of field trips. The Seattle Center and a local roller skating rink were visited last week and the Boeing tour and a hike to the ice caves is on tap for this week.

50 Years Ago 1957

After five weeks spent in Fairbanks, Minn., visiting with friends and relatives, Wm. Grote, R. 3, Arlington, returned last weekend. Mr. Grote was called to Minnesota by the death of his brother, Fred. He reports crops looking good in Minnesota, and says they have lots of rain in that part of the country, the moisture giving some difficulty in curing hay and oat crops, but that crops are heavy. He had not been back to his old home in 35 years. Mr. Grote reports that the husband of one of his nieces holds some stock certificates, purchased 50 years ago, same being issued to a gold mining company of Arlington, Wash. Mr. Grote knew of no such company and is of the opinion the stock was one of the get-rich-quick schemes, of which there were many about that time.