Justice Story

Outline:
Topic: Effectiveness of the fight ordinance

1) general information of the fighting ordinance
A) original goal of the ordinance
B) when was it placed
C) brief description of what the ordinance entails

2) Has the ordinance made a difference (Don Heroff Pullman police senior patrol officer )
A) how often is violent behavior reported and when are they reported
B) Has there been a change in the number reports/behavior since the ordinance
C) How is the ordinance affective (Student Kevin Graham kind of agrees Valhalla Floor Security Ross Larson does not)

3) Is violent behavior a issue for Pullman
A)Valhalla Floor Security Ross Larson says no
B)Don Heroff Pullman police senior patrol officer says yes (quote)

4) Overall feeling of the ordinance
A) each sources opinion
Don Heroff Pullman police senior patrol officer (quote, it being an answer)
Valhalla Floor Security Guard Ross Larson (good thing as long as they are strict)
Student Kevin Graham (not making a large impact but is logical)



The Pullman Fighting Ordinance that was put into action April 2008, is getting mixed opinions about its impact on the community.

According to Ordinance No. 08-6 from the Pullman Police Department web site the Fighting Ordinance was put into place because of an increasing number of violent behavior reports. The ordinance states that someone who causes, invokes, or engages in violent behavior will be punished with a fine no less than $250 for first time offenders and no less than $500 for second time offenders.

Don Heroff, a Pullman police senior patrol officer, said the intent of the ordinance was to give Pullman police officers a non-criminal option for controlling violent behavior. One classic example of when the ordinance would be applied is when there is a physical altercation and neither parties claim to be the victim or want to press charges, he said. Heroff said the ordinance enforces consequences for their actions.

There has not really been a change in the number of reports since the ordinance has been put into place, Heroff said. He said the reason the number of reports have not changed is because most of the people who are reported for violent behavior are impaired and aren’t thinking clearly.

Heroff took into account that Pullman is a college town. “I think if there are boys, pretty girls, and alcohol there is going to be problems,” Heroff said.

Even with no change in the number of reports, Heroff said while there is no scientific measurement, he has seen a slight change in the public’s overall behavior. He also said he thinks there are less secondary offenses because of the ordinance.

Kevin Graham, a 23 year old WSU economics major, said he personally has seen less fighting than in previous years but that the change could be accredited to a number of reasons.

Valhalla Floor Security Ross Larson said he has not observed a change in the public’s behavior. Majority of the problems that arise have alcohol at the source affecting people’s decision making abilities, Larson said. He said this causes people to ignore the ordinance. Larson also said that if someone is angry enough to cause physical violence the ordinance wont stop them.

Larson said he has not seen a change in behavior but does not think that violence is an issue for Pullman. He said every town has their own problems but Pullman just has a large population of young people.

Heroff strongly disagrees. Violence is defiantly an issue that Pullman is faced with, he said. “Anytime someone is assaulted it is a big deal and shouldn’t be taken lightly,” Heroff said. All it takes is getting hit in just right way for someone to experience serious injuries, he said.

Even though Larson said that violence isn’t an issue for Pullman he still thinks the ordinance is a good thing. Larson said it will help prevent second time offenders because the consequences for their actions are significantly higher.

Graham agrees that the Fighting Ordinance is a good law but probably isn’t making a dramatic impact on the community. He said the law is logical and because of its consequences would personally effect his decision making. “I’m not a big fighter but if I was going to fight I’d think twice,” Graham said.

Heroff said the ordinance is not the answer to preventing violent behavior. “I think it’s an answer, not the answer,” Heroff said. He said the ordinance is a step in the right direction to lowering the number of assaults.


Contact Information: (All interviews were done in person)

Don Heroff (Pullman police senior patrol officer)
Phone: (509) 432-6834 or (509) 334-0802
Email: don.heroff@pullman-wa.gov

Ross Larson (Valhalla Floor Security)
Phone: (360) 420-2222
Email: rosswilliamlarson@gmail.com

Kevin Graham (WSU student)
Email: grkevin@gmail.com