Why Are Our Counties Ignoring Public Safety Funds That Could Change Lives?
When the Washington Legislature passed Senate Bill 2015 in 2025, it created a $100 million public safety grant program to help law enforcement agencies improve crisis response, training, and to purchase equipment. These funds can be used for programs that save lives and for equipment such as body cameras and drones. Yet Stevens County, Ferry County, and Pend Oreille County do not appear to have applied for these funds. That is deeply concerning because rural counties were specifically intended to benefit from this program. The Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission even allows agencies to receive advance funding assistance to hire a grant writer or contract with a company to prepare applications. Round one is already closed, meaning our counties have already lost access to the first round of funding opportunities. Round two is expected to open up soon, and there may not even be a third round. This should not be political. It is about public safety, fairness, fiscal responsibility, and ultimately saving lives. Our communities pay taxes too, and we deserve our fair share of these public safety resources. As citizens, taxpayers, and voters, we should all demand that local leaders pursue these funds before this opportunity disappears. The burning question is why. Why haven't our elected officials taken steps to secure this much needed funding? Residents can learn more at cjtc.wa.gov/public-safety-funding-program-eshb-2015.