Lacey is a fast-growing city. We are now the most populated city in Thurston County – which has presented severe challenges to public safety. When the Lacey Police Station was built, our city had a population of 15,000 and a police force of 15. We now have over 60,000 residents and 60 officers.
To accommodate our growth, I championed plans for a brand-new police station that will meet our city’s needs for the next 40 years. That means adding more officers and support staff to serve our community better and increasing services to improve rapid response rates. I’m proud that our city is building the $50M project without raising taxes – a rare achievement for a jurisdiction anywhere in the country.
I am proud of our progress in improving public safety, but I am aware of the work we must still accomplish. Lacey has the only state-accredited police department in Thurston County. The public can rest assured that our police force is equipped with the training to serve every community member – and that will remain a top priority. The great men and women who serve our community every day deserve the support of government leaders – at all levels. During my next term, I will work with the State Legislature to pass badly needed changes to give our police the ability to enforce our laws.
For far too long, we have seen crime rates surge because of flawed measures passed by the State Legislature. Meant to address the policing concerns, these measures, while well-intentioned, have effectively handcuffed police officers. As a result, the most vulnerable members of our community – including those whom these flawed measures were passed to help – have suffered the most. The men and women who bravely serve and protect our community simply can longer do their jobs effectively.
I want to see our community continue to grow and thrive. I will keep our community safe by supporting funding law enforcement and ensuring they have the tools they need. And I want everyone to feel secure knowing that our police officers are adequately equipped with the technology and training to serve to the best of their ability.
My support for law enforcement earned the endorsement of the Lacey Police Officers’ Guild and law enforcement leaders like Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders, former Lacey Police Chief Dusty Pierpont, and former County Sheriff John Snaza. I’m proud to have the support of dedicated law enforcement professionals who trust me to support their work in ensuring public safety.
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