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City manager of Jacob urges county action after bullets hit homes; county points to municipal authority
Summary
Diane Blunt, city manager for Jacob, told commissioners that multiple recent shootings on private property have endangered residents, including a bullet that passed through a house; staff advised the county cannot regulate inside city limits but will advise and the city manager will pursue a city ordinance.
Diane Blunt, city manager for Jacob, told the Jackson County commission that her municipality has experienced multiple incidents of gunfire this year, including an event in January when a bullet passed through a residence.
"We have had one occasion back in January where we had a shooting incident...the bullet went through a resident's home across the woods," Blunt said, describing reports made to the sheriff's department and two more recent episodes of gunfire near homes.
The county's staff and commissioners acknowledged the safety concern but explained the limits of county authority inside incorporated cities. Staff advised that while some counties can regulate firearm discharge in certain unincorporated land‑use designations, the county generally cannot supersede municipal ordinances inside city limits. Commissioners suggested this issue is primarily a law‑enforcement matter and recommended the city council consider a local ordinance; Blunt said she will bring the matter to the Jacob council next month.
What happens next: County staff said it can research options for unincorporated areas and advise the board; the city manager will explore an ordinance with the Jacob council and follow up with law enforcement.
