DEPUTY ACCUSED OF SEX CRIME
A Pierce County Sheriff's Department deputy was placed on administrative leave on Jan. 17 because of allegations he committed a sex crime with a female child. Tacoma Police Department is conducting a criminal investigation because the alleged crimes occurred within the city limits. The Sheriff's Department is conducting an internal investigation.
POLICE CALLED ON UNION REP
Management of Tacoma General Hospital called police because a union representative refused their order to leave the cafeteria. Many employees of the hospital are members of United Food and Commercial Workers. Pam Blauman has been their main union representative for 10 years. Tom Geiger, state communications director for the union, said every few weeks she is at a table in the cafeteria for several hours, during which time union members can sit down and ask her questions. Geiger said she has done so for years with no problems.
In November MultiCare management informed Blauman she could no longer conduct this activity. Geiger said management sent the union a letter stating that if Blauman returns to the cafeteria, she would be asked to leave and if she refused police would be called.
When she stopped by in December, managers talked to her but Geiger is not aware of police being called. The union received another letter stating that police would be called if Blauman returned and she could be liable for penalties in a civil lawsuit, according to Geiger.
When she appeared on Jan. 17, managers stopped by within an hour, told her to leave and threatened to call police. "She made it clear she did not want to be arrested, but would do her job," Geiger said.
Police were called. Geiger observed several officers speak with Bauman for about 30 minutes. "Ultimately, the decision by the police was she could stay."
Geiger and several union members report that recent contract negotiations with MultiCare have become tense. "This is obviously an intimidation technique," Geiger remarked.
SHOOTING ON 6TH AVENUE
Three boys ages 13, 14 and 17 have been arrested as suspects in a shooting on Jan. 17. Officers were called to the intersection of 6th Avenue and Anderson Street. They found a woman with a gunshot wound to her leg. Officers stopped a vehicle nearby and detained two boys. A K-9 unit discovered the third suspect. They were booked into Remann Hall on suspicion of robbery, aggravated assault and unlawful possession of a firearm.
DRUNK DRIVING ARREST
A suspected drunk driver was arrested after fleeing from officers trying to stop his vehicle on Jan. 12. Officers first noticed the man speeding in the 5400 block of South Tacoma Way. When they put on their flashing lights, the man sped away. They noted the license plate number and distributed it to other officers. Soon after officers spotted the vehicle at the intersection of South 26th Street and Pacific Avenue. They put on their flashing lights and tried to pull the driver over. Again he sped away. Another officer spotted him driving near the intersection of South 15th Street and Fawcett Avenue. He joined other police cars in following the suspect. The man was pulled over and arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.
