SHERIFF'S MEDIA WORKSHOP
Web posted September 18, Updated November 1
by Richard Johnson
    On September 15, I attended Sheriff Allman's Media Workshop for reporters with the object of "improving communications" not just on law enforcent but for emergency situations like the fires of the past summer. Allman is an accomplished politician and facilitator who strives to make everyone feel special and included, and he will be running for re-election in two years using precisely those skills.
    He's not feeling so warm towards me, however. I really abused his hospitality by asking whether his department was protecting families of law enforcement officials who are growing marijuana and dealing meth.



dogpatch.jpg North End of Hendry property on Della Ave in Willits. Marijuana patch is behind junk pile knocking over fence into neighbor's yard. Desmond Hendry and his girlfriend live in the shack. Here is a case where drugs are causing a nuisance but the City of Willits Police, Sheriff Allman and the Task Force are shining it on.

Hendry's Father, Brother Growing and Dealing
    The father of deputy Derrick Hendry who is famous for writing the bad warrant request in Laura Hamburg's case last year is growing marijuana, and Derrick's brother is dealing methamphetamne out of 490 Della Ave in Willits, according to a nieghbor who gave me that information only last Friday.
    The site is within 1,000 feet of Blosser Lane School, a violation of the county nuisance ordinance that John McCowen wants to make criminal.
    The task force has been there, the neighbor has filed a complaint with Environmental Health, and she told Allman and Willits City Police about it 5 weeks ago. Business as usual, however. I will give the name of my informant to any media representative who will help make it public.
    When I dropped this bomb at the Media Workshop, the other reporters cringed. I predict there will be no follow up by the establishment media.
     Linda Williams of the Willits News: "I wouldn't be suprised, but how do you prove it?" I asked her how far Della was from her office.
    Allman was momentarily enraged but managed to collect himself and treat me for the rest of the morning with civility. I really admire his people skills. The effect of my revelation was of course on the department, as there were three sector commanders there as well as Captain Smallcomb. The father, whose knickname is "Bimbo" no doubt heard about it within hours.
    Since then, I have been given additional information about Hendry and I urge you to keep your ears open and keep me informed as we build a dossier on this guy.   


  Task Force is Independent
  This meeting was not a press conference, but Allman did answer a number of marijuana questions I had.  Allman clarified that his department has no control over DEA or FBI who are actively working in the north county with the Major Crimes Task Force which is also not under his supervision.
    Bob Nishyama is the Special Agent in charge of that and he reports to the state Department of Justice which is paying his salary. There is no COMMET grant this year.
    He said he would continue making public the "Measure G Report" of marijuana investigations, arrests, etc, but in January.  

No Safe Plant Limit
    With regard to the slippery matter of plant count enforcement, Allman said his department was applying the Trippet standard pending a decision of the California Supreme Court in Kelly. That is  in each case the amount must be reasonably related to and possessed in a manner consistent with the needs of the patient.
    He specifically said he did not consider the Behnke stay in Laguna against the plant count in Measure B to be ruling, only the Kelly decision.
    In answer to my question, he stated that he will not issue any more zip ties until the BOS authorizes a fee, and then only in an amount that is consistent with law at that time.