County Administrator Philip Morley discusses the expansion of the south Coyle no-shooting area with the Jefferson County commissioners Monday morning. (Zach Jablonski/Peninsula Daily News)

County Administrator Philip Morley discusses the expansion of the south Coyle no-shooting area with the Jefferson County commissioners Monday morning. (Zach Jablonski/Peninsula Daily News)

Jefferson commissioners approve Coyle no-shooting area expansion

Safety concerns prompt petition

PORT TOWNSEND — The Jefferson Board of County Commissioners have approved the expansion of the no-shooting area in the southern part of Coyle.

The unanimous decision was made after a public hearing during the commissioners’ Monday morning meeting in the Jefferson County Courthouse.

The initial no-shooting area was created in 2002 and was expanded in 2014. Monday’s decision was made after south Coyle residents submitted a petition meeting the requisite 20 signatures this August asking for another expansion, commission documents said.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

The expansion extends the northern border of the area to encompass the properties on the north side of East Go Onna Drive, between Coyle Road and before the road changes to Go Onna Road, the commission map showed.

The map of the zone and its addition can be viewed at tinyurl.com/PDN-CoyleNoShooting.

Jefferson commissioners approve Coyle no-shooting area expansion

Implementation of a no-shooting area is not for noise purposes, the documents said.

According to Jefferson County Code Title 8.50.030, “It is unlawful for any person to discharge any firearm or to propel from any portion of Jefferson County any projectile discharged from any firearm across, in or into a no-shooting area established by Jefferson County.”

The area can be declared a no-shooting zone “where there is a reasonable likelyhood that humans, domestic animals or property may be jeopardized,” the documents said.

South Coyle resident Douglas Mekalsen provided comments in favor of the expansion, partly due to a bulldozer on his property reportedly being hit by a stray bullet.

“My bulldozer has been hit,” Mekalsen said. “I was outside working … I heard it hit.”

The petition was started by Steve Garner, who has lived in the neighborhood for 17 years and has had problems with a resident reportedly setting up a shooting range on property nearby.

“I used to shoot,” Garner said. “I stopped because I didn’t want to be the guy scaring everybody.

“Personally, I’m not anti-gun … I have no problem with people shooting for a few minutes, but for hours is unacceptable.”

It was due to the safety issues that residents were facing, such as the shooting on a small property and stray bullets striking equipment, that county Administrator Philip Morley recommended approving the extension to the commission.

“It is strictly an issue of safety and risk,” Morley said. “It is not about sound and harmony within a neighborhood.

“Especially hearing the issues of bullets coming off the parcels, this is right.”

Other areas in the county that have no-shooting zones include Port Ludlow, Chimacum Creek and Paradise Bay.

Maps of the general locations can be found at tinyurl.com/PDN-No-Shooting-Areas.

________

Jefferson County reporter Zach Jablonski can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 5, or at zjablonski@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

Family members of the late Mike McAleer, from left, McAleer’s wife, Shannon Burke, son Michael McAleer and daughter Colleen McAleer, accept the Clallam Economic Development Council’s Olympic Leader Award at Friday’s annual EDC Gala at 7 Cedars Casino in Blyn. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Former volunteer named Olympic Leader at EDC gala

Mike McAleer served on boards, provided support

Jefferson County discusses rules for rental units

Public comments to be accepted through Friday

U.S. Rep. Emily Randall, D-Bremerton, speaks about current issues during a town hall meeting on Saturday in the Little Theater at Peninsula College in Port Angeles. Several hundred people attended, including an overflow audience in the Pirate Union Building. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Town hall

U.S. Rep. Emily Randall, D-Bremerton, speaks about current issues during a town… Continue reading

Firefighters rescue woman from house fire

Firefighters and neighbors rescued a woman and three dogs following… Continue reading

Firefighters from East Jefferson Fire Rescue extinguished an RV fire early Monday morning on Marrowstone Island. (East Jefferson Fire Rescue)
Firefighters put out RV fire on Marrowstone Island

East Jefferson Fire Rescue extinguished an RV fire in… Continue reading

Soroptimist International of Sequim’s Medical Loan Closet seeks a business or community organization that can take advantage of its nonprofit status to provide it with an 800- to 1,000-square-foot space. (Soroptimist International of Sequim)
Soroptimists seek partner for Medical Loan Closet

Soroptimist International of Sequim’s Medical Loan Closet has provided free… Continue reading

Shop With a Hero program partners with Mariners

The Clallam County Shop With a Hero team has… Continue reading

Celebrations set this week for World Water Day

The Elwha Legacy Forests Coalition and the Earth Law… Continue reading

Forum to discuss Charter Review Commission

The Clallam County Democrats will host a forum on… Continue reading

Jeannine Vaughn of Carlsborg looks a gems and jewelry at a display table operated by Steve Morgan of Joyce-based Lil’ Log Cabin Creations on Saturday at the Clallam County Rock, Gem and Jewelry Show at Vern Burton Community Center in Port Angeles. The show, hosted by the Clallam County Gem & Mineral Association, brought together rock enthusiasts with vendor booths and demonstrations highlighting the hobby. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Gem show

Jeannine Vaughn of Carlsborg looks a gems and jewelry at a display… Continue reading

Sequim City Council members will discuss March 24 how the city’s Fourth of July fireworks display, pictured in 2022, impacts wildlife and residents. Local advocates made the request to council members in February to stop the fireworks display and move the drone show away from wildlife habitat at Carrie Blake Community Park. (Michael Dashiell/Olympic Peninsula News Group file)
Sequim City Council to discuss fireworks

Grassroots group advocates for changes

Interact Club members fill jugs and buckets in the Dungeness River for the annual Walk for Water event on March 1. They walk about 4 miles roundtrip to symbolize how far some people must go for drinking water. They raised more than $5,000 to help build a well in a Ghana village. (John Pehrson)
Sequim High students raise money through Walk for Water

Interact Club helps fund another well in Ghana