Police remind: we take attacks seriously

Jenkins said reports of a stranger-on-stranger attack are rare in the area. Dahlinger agreed, saying the situation was unique.

He added that although the department receives some false reports, all of them are taken with utmost seriousness.

“We take all of our cases seriously,” Dahlinger said. “We do not make any prejudices about a reporter or what the circumstances are, but only look at the facts.”

He said law enforcement’s job is to keep the community safe, and reporting information helps protect everyone who lives in the area.

“We are your resource,” he said. “If there is potential information available about something dangerous in our community, please call us. Never be afraid to reach out and ask questions… especially if you see something strange, suspicious or strange.”

Jenkins said if someone experiences a sexual assault, it is critical to act quickly because any time that passes can make it more difficult to conduct a thorough investigation. Victims can go to the hospital for examination before deciding to immediately report the incident to the police.

There are many resources for victims in the community, including Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse, the Rural Crisis Center Network, and a variety of services offered by both WSU and the University of Idaho.

“If you see something, say something, whether you’re a victim or a witness,” Jenkins said. “We’re just asking people to call us so we can start an investigation as soon as possible. This increases the likelihood that the reported crime will be resolved as quickly as possible and provides greater safety for the community.”

Pearce can be reached at [email protected].