I-1033: Police protection could be affected

In King County, there are more than 35 police departments; the sheriff; plus our state, federal and tribal law enforcement agencies. Together, we protect more than 1.8 million citizens. We meet monthly to address the most pressing public safety issues.

K. SCOTT KIMERER; Police chief City of Burien

Published: 10/23/09 12:05 am

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In King County, there are more than 35 police departments; the sheriff; plus our state, federal and tribal law enforcement agencies. Together, we protect more than 1.8 million citizens. We meet monthly to address the most pressing public safety issues.

At our October meeting, the King County Police Chiefs Association discussed the impacts that Initiative 1033 could have on our ability to provide basic police services.

Current economic conditions have already created serious budget cuts to police departments and diminished our ability to serve. I-1033 presents the real possibility that police protection could be significantly impacted as cities and counties address significant cuts in funding. We are already seeing a reduction in police officer hiring.

Eighty-two percent of King County cities have populations less than 50,000. It is likely that they will be hit the hardest.

Like any service, police protection and access to justice in general has a threshold at which further budget reductions will have measurable, negative impacts on the citizens. The police chiefs association feels it is our responsibility to offer our perspective on the potential impact to public safety that I-1033 may have.

We encourage citizens to be informed and ask their city governments, review their City Council meetings or go to their city Web site to see what is being said regarding the effect I-1033 would have on their ability to provide police and other critical services that create our quality of life and safety. (Kimerer is chairman of the King County Police Chiefs Association.)

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