Crime & Public Safety
 Councilmember Dunn visits the Fairwood KCSO substation, which he worked to preserve from budget cuts.
Many residents expressed concern about the dramatic rise in violent crime that is occurring across King County. Homicides and murders are up 86% since 2018 and less serious felonies, including minor violence, burglaries, and car thefts, have increased by 24% over the past three years. Because of the severity of the crime spike, I have vehemently opposed cuts to our criminal justice system. At the same time, I believe there are ways to improve policing and make sure our law enforcement officers have the tools they need, including by supporting the mental health of our deputies, creating a Hate Crimes Task Force, and launching a community-based Stop Hate Hotline. I will continue to work to invest in the King County Sheriff’s Office in partnership with my colleagues on the Council.
Substance Use and Mental Health Disorders
I recently hosted King County’s first annual Conference on Addiction Disorders, after which I heard from many people about their own experience, or their loved one’s experience, with addiction. Since the start of the pandemic, national data has shown a 13% increase in alcohol or controlled substance use, with 40% of people reporting depression, mental health, or substance use. In response to this great need, I sponsored numerous legislative initiatives including an awareness campaign for safe medicine return, a campaign to combat stigma related to substance use disorder in partnership with Councilmember Kohl-Welles, a new law to protect virtual recovery meetings from Zoom bombing, and investing in substance abuse prevention and mental health treatment for youth through the Best Starts for Kids Levy. Addiction recovery is an issue that is close to my heart and one that I will continue to focus on going forward.
Proposed Asphalt Plant
 Councilmember Dunn protests the proposed asphalt plant with community members. Photo by Hank Haynes.
In all of my town halls, I heard deep concern from the community about the King County Permitting Division’s impending decision whether to approve a permit application to site an asphalt plant on SR-169, across the street from the Cedar River. The Permitting Division has been reviewing the permit since 2019 when the moratorium I sponsored at the Council expired, and a decision is anticipated soon. I am continuing to voice my strong opposition to the asphalt plant and to amplify the voices of the community members who are fighting against it. In addition, I’ve sponsored legislation asking for a thorough review of all industrial zoning in rural King County. As we await the Permitting Division’s decision, I will continue to stand with all those who are opposing this facility.
COVID-19 Recovery
 Councilmember Dunn delivers a King County grant to provide financial assistance to those who are struggling to pay rent during the pandemic.
The primary focus of the King County Council for over a year has been responding to the pandemic and passing seven budgets to disperse aid to the community. As of late, I have sponsored legislation to create a vaccination outreach plan, to incentivize vaccinations in King County, and to provide financial aid to low-income property owners through a fee discount. Though we are finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, my colleagues and I on the Council are staying on the task of seeing our community through the many challenges associated with the pandemic and the shutdowns.
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