PORT TOWNSEND — Jefferson County Commissioners approved the proposed no-shooting area in East Jefferson County following a public hearing on Monday.
A strong majority of the people living in the area that encompasses Jolie Way and Silver Berry Place as well as a portion of the east side of Hastings Avenue and part of Arabian Lane filed a petition June 14 asking the county to ban shooting there.
In the petition, the neighbors cited several incidents where the shooting that was taking place could have put the life of humans, domestic animals or property in jeopardy.
Some of the incidents listed included target shooting on a property line with guns aimed into another person’s yard, random shootings that occurred at all hours of the day and night, and drunken parties with multiple guns fired.
The letter also stipulated that the residents are not “anti-gun,” and that many of them are gun owners themselves, but these incidents were creating a growing concern over proper gun safety in the neighborhood.
No public comment was given against the passing of the no-shooting zone ordinance.
Property owners adjacent to the neighborhood were informed and asked if the no-shooting zone should be expanded to their neighborhood.
One proposal was made to expand but the other side of Hastings Avenue contains many empty lots that end up being used as parking spaces for people entering the state Department of Natural Resources lands outside the no-shooting boundary.
Commissioners voted against that proposal due to potential issues with signage.
“We don’t want to cause a lot of confusion,” Commissioner Greg Brotherton said.
On July 5, the county sent out notices to neighbors and to Point No Point and Point Elliott tribes so they could weigh in.
State law requires a no-shooting area be limited to an area where there is a reasonable likelihood that humans, domestic animals or property are jeopardized.
________
Reporter Ken Park can be reached at kpark@peninsuladailynews.com.
