I am against the proposed 5-year sheriff’s contract

My thoughts about law enforcement in La Conner:

• The sheriff is a town “vendor.” If any vendor has complaints regarding provision of contracted services, it makes little sense granting the vendor a longer, five-year contract which, except for commitment to walk First Street twice weekly, is essentially the same. Logic dictates finding an alternative vendor or re-thinking the contract entirely.

• Current/ proposed contract provides 80 hours weekly patrolling Zone 1 and “guaranteeing” a ten minute response.

• During 2020-2021 numerous residents reported late arrival of deputies showing up: once, 45 minute, at Tillinghast Circle, or to a Stuart Hutt call for the history museum, never.

• In 2020 burglaries at Town’s Public Works resulted in loss of town assets. I have never seen sheriff’s official reporting to the town council or public of these incidents. What action was taken or ongoing to apprehend the perpetrator(s)?

• Numerous residents at council meetings requested a short term extension of the existing contract put in place pending a proposal by the Swinomish. The residents wanted an “apples to apples” comparison of service/costs. Agreeing to the sheriff’s proposal ignores these residents.

• Supposed “thinking” by sheriff to go to precinct type of service could be positive. That is not in the proposed contract language.

• Proposed contract language reference the county providing the “same standard" of service as is provided the unincorporated areas bounding La Conner, i.e. Fir Island, Conway, Bayview. If so, why pay $360,000+ a year?

• I was told that the Sheriff does not want a one year extension. But two years ago as the coronavirus pandemic began they proposed a simple one year extension under the prior contract terms, to which town agreed. Now they are not willing?

• The town’s 2022 budget already has the Sheriff at $364,000, a 10% increase. Town employees, who we have some level of control over and are accountable, will be granted a 4% increase. The Sheriff gets 10%?

• Alternate proposal: Hire two code enforcement staff, provide them with a properly equipped vehicle and task them with both day and night patrol of the town with an agreement in place with the Swinomish PD to respond to emergency calls from the code enforcement staff when armed police presence is needed. I believe this a more cost-effective solution.

Leaver has served on the La Conner Town Council since appointed in 2012.