East Wenatchee City Council reallocates opioid dollars for drug task force, K9 program

The East Wenatchee City Council, during its regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday, allocated opioid settlement funding to support the Columbia River Drug Task Force and the city's drug K9 program.

Millions of dollars were allocated as part of a settlement agreement signed in 2022 with five companies that produced or sold opioids, contributing to the opioid epidemic.

Federal funding from the United States Department of Justice Byrne-Jag grant, which would typically award the drug task force annually around $150,000 to $180,000, ended in 2024, according to a city council agenda report.

The Columbia River Drug Task Force is a multi-jurisdictional law enforcement entity that investigates drug-related crimes and assists in other major crime investigations in Chelan and Douglas counties.

The four local governments - Chelan, Douglas counties and the cities of Wenatchee and East Wenatchee - agreed to pool $105,000 to fund the task force's "minimal operating costs" while they search for an alternative funding source.

Each government entity pays its share based on a per-capita basis, with the city of East Wenatchee paying $11,734 through its share of the opioid settlement funds.

The remaining funding comes from the other three entities as follows:

* City of Wenatchee - $29,659.40

* Chelan County - $38,318.60

* Douglas County - $25,534.80.

"Those aren't forever either," said Mayor Jerrilea Crawford. "So for now and maybe even next year, this is the plan to move forward."

Another $5,000 from the city's opioid abatement funds are also being allocated for the East Wenatchee Police Department's drug k-9 program, led by Maverick, a black German Shepherd.

Maverick and his human handler sniff out hidden, controlled substances like fentanyl and heroin at traffic stops, conducting search warrants and other coordinated operations.

The Wenatchee Police Department has utilized Maverick's skills and is contributing $5,000 to East Wenatchee's program, with the city itself matching the $5,000.

"I do want to just mention one more time, ... I'm really grateful that Wenatchee actually sees the value in this and is willing to invest in our program," Crawford said.

The East Wenatchee City Council passed both motions unanimously Tuesday night.

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