Question: I want to know why it is taking such a long time for the North Bend Police Department to finish its investigation of the Oregon Coast Lab Band finances. The Department of Justice has completed its investigation, but will give out no information until it hears from the North Bend police. It's time this matter was settled.
Answer: There are only so many officers in the North Bend Police Department and when violent crimes happen, those get their attention.
But North Bend Police chief Steve Scibelli said there is no excuse for having his department's investigation take as long as it has.
"Crimes against persons take precedence over property crimes, but this case should have been filed by now," he said. "Our intent is to get it filed."
The police department's investigation began after Lab Band leaders found discrepancies in the group's bookkeeping last summer. The Lab Band's founder, Greg Young, left the organization in August and has since started a new group, Bay Area School of Music.
Ray Sanford, president of the Lab Band board, said he is frustrated with the progress of the investigation. He met with Scibelli on Tuesday to discuss the case.
"We've asked that this be stepped up," he said. "We would like to see this come to a head."
Scibelli said he's told the Lab Band leaders he plans to file the investigation with the Coos County District Attorney's Office by the end of the month.
"That is our promise and it will happen," he said.
I Want to Know is a regular feature of The World, offering readers a chance to anonymously ask questions and have reporters pursue answers. Those interested can send questions to The World newspaper, P.O. Box 1840, Coos Bay Ore. 97420; or by sending e-mail to news@theworldlink.com.
The World welcomes your comments about stories, and we encourage a robust dialogue on this site. All comments must meet reasonable standards of decency and civility.
Please follow these basic rules:
- No defamatory comments about individuals or businesses.
- No deliberately false information.
- No obscenity or racially offensive language.
- No harassment, verbal abuse, threats or personal attacks.
- No information that invades another person's privacy.
- No business solicitations or charitable solicitations.
Comments that violate these standards will not be posted. Users with repeated violations may be banned from future posting.Comments will be approved throughout the day during business hours. After hours and weekend comments may not appear until the following business day. It may take a couple of hours before comments are approved.
The World generally does not edit comments, but we reserve the right to edit any comment that does not meet our standards.
Close Guidelines