I received this from Capt. James Drake last night. He also sent another document, which I'll post later when I figure out how to open it.
Thanks once again to our wonderful sheriff's deputies, along with their colleagues from throughout the state, who have volunteered to help out with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and to deliver hundreds of donated items from the generous people of Idaho.
Operation Back-up
07SEP05 to 11SEP05
The trip down has been long, and we encountered our share of equipment problems with the rental equipment. Fortunately, everyone on this trip has something to offer to our effort.
We made it to Shreveport (LA), last night (10SEP05), where we are waiting for the decision to be made as to where to take the donated material from Idaho. The drive thru Idaho was a unique experience. People went out of their way to make sure everything was okay for us.
We left Sandpoint around 1930 hrs. with one completely full (26ft) truck and another truck (26 ft) which was partially full. We stopped at the Kootenai C.S.O. where we loaded several boxes of items. While we were doing this two deputies from Shoshone C.S.O. left their county with a partially loaded 12-foot trailer and picked up items at the Coeur d’Alene Police Department.
We then went to the Moscow Police Department, where they had a rented trailer that was already fully loaded with material. Our next stop was in Lewiston, where there was literally a mountain of donated material behind the Lewiston Police Department/Nez Perce C.S.O. Monte (unknown last name) a Lewiston P.D. employee assisted us with this pickup.
After a quick nap we continued to the Boise P.D./Ada C.S.O. Public Safety Building where we were met by the media. Boise P.D./Ada C.S.O./Boise Police Officer Assoc./Local F.O.P. lodge had rented a smaller cargo truck to store the donated material coming into their collection site. Officers from these agencies loaded those items into one of our trucks.
While there, a Nampa P.D. Officer volunteered to join our caravan-to help us with the driving duties. In addition, this officer’s father, a retired fire fighter, volunteered to join us. After leaving Boise the next stop was Twin Falls P.D. (outside temperature 102 degrees-F) where they had several items for our relief effort.
Our final stop, along our Idaho route was in Pocatello. The local F.O.P. Lodge and several city police officers and county deputies had a loaded trailer ready to go. I took almost 24 hours to complete this portion of our trip.
Again, the support through out the state was amazing. We were able to completely fill all of our vehicles and trailers with the donated items. In addition, it is estimated that approximately $20,000.00 to $25,000.00 was raised for this relief effort. I am speechless!
Our caravan of four law enforcement vehicles, two rental trucks and three trailers made its way from Idaho to Utah, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and finally to Louisiana.
Prior to arriving in Louisiana I had received information that the Sheriff’s Office in Mississippi, which requested the items, was unable to take any more material, as their storage facilities were full. The local, state and federal officials are currently making arraignments to create additional collection points for this material.
The magnitude of this natural disaster is so massive; the relief efforts will go on for years. We may still go to Canton, Mississippi, or we may be redirected to the Gulf Port, Mississippi area along the Gulf Coast. At the time of this letter, we are currently working with the Louisiana State Police, Louisiana Office of Emergency Management, FEMA and staff at Barksdale Air Force Base.
In addition, I received information that the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office is still awaiting our arrival. That is pretty much it for right now. I will give you an update when we start heading towards Louisiana. All of the guys are doing fine and want to get to work helping the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Thank you to all who are supporting our efforts for those who have been victimized by Hurricane Katrina. Don’t forget about the other tragedy that happened in our country four years ago (9-11).
Jim Drake, Captain
Bonner County Sheriff’s Office
11SEP05/09:28 hrs.
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