By Emilee Shake
There is a new addition to the dispatching team at the Washington City Police station. Sonia Gaither, born in Cadiz, Spain, married Washington local Chief Petty Officer Matthew Gaither and moved to Washington in August 2009.
After searching for positions where her bilingual ability would be beneficial, Gaither was contacted about her application at the police station. After a couple of interviews, Gaither was offered the job and accepted it less than two months ago.
“I like the job. It’s very hard,” she said. “It’s more than answering a phone.”
Gaither doesn’t take lightly the responsibility of her position.
“We have to make them (the officers) aware of what is going on and if there is a situation that will put them in jeopardy,” Gaither said.
With the growing population of Hispanic people in the community, Police Chief Steve Riney believes Gaither’s bilingual ability is a huge asset and was needed in the city.
“We have already used her interpreting services on a few occasions,” Riney said.
Gaither remembers how frustrating a communication barrier can be. When she moved to the U.S., about 15 years ago, she didn’t speak English.
“When I start speaking Spanish, they (Hispanic people) feel relieved. It’s nice to know there is someone who can understand them and help them,” she said.
Gaither is honored to be serving the Washington community at the police station.
“This is like my home in Spain,” she said. “Everybody says hello to everybody. Neighbors come out and talk to each other. People walking on the street, even with they don’t know each other, they say ‘hi.’”
“I didn’t think there would be any place like my home, then I found Washington,” Gaither said.
