News: Orcas transfer station burglarized

Computer equipment and a fax machine are among the items missing from the office of the solid-waste transfer station on Orcas Island following an apparent burglary at the site.

The transfer station, located on Horseshoe Highway near Gravel Pit Road, remained closed on Feb. 27 after discovery of the break-in earlier that morning.

Public Works Director Jon Shannon said the incident occurred sometime between 5 p.m. Feb. 26 and 3 a.m. Feb. 27. The computer system failed to make an automated 3 a.m. systems check, leading Shannon to believe the equipment was gone by that time.

On Friday afternoon, Sheriff Bill Cumming said the missing equipment and damage to the station were under investigation. Authorities were piecing together clues found at the scene, though no one had been arrested in connection with the incident, he said.

“There was some physical evidence that was left behind at the scene,” Cumming said.

The apparent burglary is not an isolated incident. Shannon said the shop, the recycling center and equipment have been burglarized or vandalized on several occasions in the last six months.

Similar incidents have also occurred at the transfer station on San Juan Island, he said.

With both locations being relatively remote and dark after closing hours, and each containing various electronic equipment, the sites are prone to vandalism and theft, Shannon said.

“We’re evaluating whether we’ll need to beef up security with video surveillance,” Shannon said. “It’s unfortunate if it comes to that, but it looks like the direction we’re heading.”

With repair of the damage and replacement of the missing equipment under way late last week, Shannon expected the transfer station would open Sunday, the busiest of the three days its open to the public.

Though it may appear low-tech — dumping garbage and discarding items for recycling — the operation relies heavily on its electronic connections for determining weights and the cash-handling system, he said.

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