CROW WING COUNTY DENIES RESPONSIBILITY

     Before you read this I hope you can put aside your prejudices for a moment.  I am a D.W.I. offender.  I take full responsibility for my crime.  I accept the consequences.   I am truly sorry, and grateful that I did not injure or kill anybody.

     The night I was charged with a D.W.I. my vehicle was towed to a county impound lot.    A deputy assured me that my vehicle was going to a "secure" location. 

     Upon release from jail I made it to the impound lot to retrieve my cell phone.  At this time I was instructed how I would need to go about getting the rest of my personal belongings.  After a couple of attempts, I was able to get a deputy to meet me at the impound location.  We discovered my vehicle had been vandalized.  Many valuable items were stolen from my vehicle.  The deputy made out a report.  I felt that this was the County's negligence and therefore their responsibility.  When I returned home from the impound lot I attempted to phone Sheriff Dahl.  I was told by the receptionist that citizens can't simply just phone the Sheriff, our paid and elected official.  Sheriff Dahl did get back to me though and said he would have a sergeant contact me regarding the matter.  A sergeant called me and gave me the name and number of the County Official who would assist me in filing a claim with the County's insurance company.  The insurance company would then, in turn, reimburse me for my losses.

     I was recently informed by the County's insurance company that the County denies responsibility.  How is this not their responsibility?  I bet the county vehicles are covered.  Another fine example of the incompetency of our Crow Wing County Government.

                                                                                                      Robert VanNatter

                                                                                                      Brainerd, MN