Tim Evinger: Policing 2001 conflicts

By DD BIXBY

H&N Staff Writer

February 15, 2008

Klamath County Sheriff Tim Evinger holds up a piece of memorabilia from the 2001 Water Crisis. The jacket was worn by farmers to mimic the jackets worn by officials there to keep the peace.

   “It was like walking through a mine field every day. It was exhilarating, it was intense, it was emotional, and when you got to the other side every night and nobody got hurt, it was truly gratifying knowing that it was making a difference.” 

   Klamath County Sheriff Tim Evinger took office in January 2001. Water shutoff demonstrations began July 4 and continued until the Sept. 11, 2001 , terrorist attacks. 

   The new sheriff was in the middle of numerous conflicts. He keeps a small granite-colored piece of the Klamath Project headgates on a shelf in his office as a reminder of the times. 

   Before 9/11, there was no law prohibiting people from trespassing on federal lands. So when U.S. marshals came to enforce such an order, there was disagreement about whether demonstrating farmers who turned on, rerouted, pumped and bucketed water should be arrested. 

   The decision fell to the local level. Evinger made one rule: “Nobody gets hurt.” 

   “While there was minor damage with a lock being cut, and a chain being cut and a fence gate being taken off, there was no real damage,” he says. “There was not one thing that somebody should be going to jail for.” Only one arrest was made, when a California man brought a firearm to a rally at Klamath Union High School . 

   For two months, Evinger made a habit of visiting the headgates, checking the atmosphere. 

   It was raw, taut. 

   Farmers were in danger of losing their livelihoods — some did. Tribal members felt their rights and interests were ignored, and criticized Evinger for his quick support of farmers. Environmentalists only saw struggling fish species. 

   Evinger introduced himself, his principles and philosophies in many sit-downs with constituents. Relationships forged then still guide him in discussions with tribal members, agriculturalists and the broader community. 

   “I have a ton of respect for farmers,” Evinger says. “When Sept. 11 hit, they called a meeting. 

   “They said to us, ‘The country has a lot of other issues it needs to deal with right now. We’re standing down, so these federal agents can go (where they’re needed most).’ ”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
NOTE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, any copyrighted
material  herein is distributed without profit or payment to those who have
expressed  a  prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit
research and  educational purposes only. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml

Source:  http://pioneer.olivesoftware.com/Daily/Skins/heraldandnews/

navigator.asp?skin=heraldandnews