A Forks Question (or 2) (Tacoma, Port Angeles: felons, high school, college)

[belfblack]

My hubby has a few years left till he hits his 20 with the military. We visited the Olympic Peninsula a couple of years ago on our quest to find a place to finally put down some roots and retire, and we'll be heading back up that way next year. We really enjoyed Forks in particular because of its location and climate.

Anyway ... How are law enforcement prospects up your way? Hubby has always been involved in the communities wherever we've been stationed, including serving as reserve deputy during our time in South Carolina (he won a Deputy of the Year award while there). He's interested in possibly pursuing a law enforcement career full-time once he hangs up his military uniform. Salary and other benefits won't be that much of an issue, as he'll be drawing retirement pay and retiree health benefits already.

Also, how are the schools? I'm pretty sure they're better than down here in Georgia, but has anyone had any issues with either the curricula or district politics in general? When hubby retires, we'll have one kid starting college and the other in fourth grade (the boys have quite an age difference). Our oldest *should* be a college freshman in Texas when we move, so it's our younger son I'm more concerned about.

Thanks so much in advance for any input you might have!

[Luke9686]

I'm a Coast Guard recruiter in Tacoma, and have been out that way many times in my ventures. To sum it up, schools in Forks are terrible. I've been out there many times, and spoken to the counselors quite a bit on the school issue.

There is nothing for the kids to do, so drugs are a huge problem out there. While sitting there at a career fair at the high school one morning, the counselor was standing by me pointing out all the known dealers. There were a lot for such a small school. Anything from MJ, cocaine, meth, to pharmaceuticals and club drugs. It was bad. Many of the kids asked if we take felons. These were high schoolers. There are no prospects and few role models for the kids out there. The kids either work for the forest service, the prison system, or join the military. This type of atmosphere isn't good for teenagers.

One kid came up and asked me what we do, and I went into it about federal law enforcement and busting drugs, yada yada yada. He said, "Why would I want to bust my own family?" I understand this happens everywhere, but it's bad for such a small school. I went to a school about five times bigger, and wasn't half as bad.

[Dendrite]

Originally Posted by Luke9686

I'm a Coast Guard recruiter in Tacoma, and have been out that way many times in my ventures. To sum it up, schools in Forks are terrible. I've been out there many times, and spoken to the counselors quite a bit on the school issue.

There is nothing for the kids to do, so drugs are a huge problem out there. While sitting there at a career fair at the high school one morning, the counselor was standing by me pointing out all the known dealers. There were a lot for such a small school. Anything from MJ, cocaine, meth, to pharmaceuticals and club drugs. It was bad. Many of the kids asked if we take felons. These were high schoolers. There are no prospects and few role models for the kids out there. The kids either work for the forest service, the prison system, or join the military. This type of atmosphere isn't good for teenagers.

One kid came up and asked me what we do, and I went into it about federal law enforcement and busting drugs, yada yada yada. He said, "Why would I want to bust my own family?" I understand this happens everywhere, but it's bad for such a small school. I went to a school about five times bigger, and wasn't half as bad.

What?!? I must have missed that chapter in the Twilight book... Sorry Luke, couldn't resist...

Belfblack, for those who live in the area (OK, for me personally at least) we/I have struggled to understand why/how Forks has suddenly appeared on the radar screen for many people. It's the kind of place that most people would want to be from not move to. In fairness though, there are those who love Forks (La Push, Neah Bay and so forth) and would never leave.

Why not broaden your search a little? Check out Port Angeles, Port Townsend, Whidbey Island, Poulsbo etc. Your 4th grader has several years of school to go, so I understand your desire to get him plugged in to a good district.