‘Homeless’ Van Woman Praises Help from Benton County Deputies

Early Friday morning Benton County Deputies responded to a report of a van on a private road, where the female driver appeared to be passed out inside.

WHAT DID DEPUTIES FIND WHEN THEY LOCATED HER?

Deputies didn't say where the vehicle was located or what road, but when they first contacted the driver, she was agitated and "uncooperative."

However, Deputies soon learned the woman was living out of her van, and had run out of gas. Obviously, in a bad spot, Deputies were able to get her some fuel, some snacks, and food, and gave her information and details about how to get emergency housing and assistance here in the Tri-Cities.

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  WOMAN SAID THIS WAS HER FIRST POSITIVE INTERACTION WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT

Deputies said the woman apologized for her behavior, saying this was the "first positive interaction" she'd had with Law Enforcement apparently since having to start living out of her van.

the Benton County Sheriff's Department released this statement that read in part:

"In spite of legislation inhibiting police officers from doing the job the way we used to, BCSO is striving to find new ways to better the community."

This is an obvious reference to the dozen or so new laws passed by the legislature that severely hinder their policing abilities, especially the changing of "reasonable suspicion" to required "probable cause."  This alone has resulted in many suspects 'escaping' arrest statewide.