The updated Island County website is now showing pictures our assessor has taken, throughout the years, to decide the valuation of property taxes.

Here is the concern. Showing pictures of our individual homes online can attract all types of viewers, both good and bad. Pictures which show the locations of our windows, doors, decks, outside staircases, closed shades, and whether an owner has an alarm system sign in the front yard are not safe.

These pictures were recently added to the owner information the county website provides such as single owners, and owners who have mailing addresses off island. Adding pictures of our homes, especially pictures showing views not available from the street, could create the perfect platform for people looking to do harm to the residents within our county.

Posting pictures are necessary when selling a home, but should not be presented on our county website, especially without approval. These pictures are taken for assessments and should be used for this purpose only. They should be kept private, between the county and the individual owner, and not published for general viewing. Safety should be the focus here. The pictures make it even easier for criminals.

We are concerned with our safety and privacy. Please remove these pictures from the county website as soon as possible.

N. McClain

Clinton