Update on my legislation to pause controversial diversion program

Your Update on What's Happening at the King County Council  

Dear Friends and Neighbors, 

About a month ago, I introduced legislation to pause the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office's (PAO) new criminal diversion program, Restorative Community Pathways. Unfortunately, my legislation was voted down in the Law, Justice, Health and Human Services Committee this week.

I fought for a pause in Restorative Community Pathways because I am gravely concerned that not prosecuting violent crimes such as assault and gun crimes—especially during a time of record-high homicides and shootings—will be disastrously harmful to our communities. The pause I requested would have allowed time for King County to engage with the many local mayors who expressed their strong opposition to this new program and work with them to create a diversion option that better suits the needs of their communities. I am deeply disappointed that my colleagues on the Law, Justice, Health and Human Services Committee did not find this engagement to be valuable.

Though I broadly support criminal diversion programs for some first-time, low-level offenses, I believe a line must be drawn for more dangerous crimes such as bringing a firearm to school. I also maintain that the best public policy is not made unilaterally, but by listening to local leaders who have deep knowledge of the needs of their communities.

Bettering our public safety remains a key focus of my work as your Councilmember, and I will continue to advocate for safer neighborhoods for us all.

All my best,

Reagan Dunn King County Councilmember District 9

Dunn and Dembowski Sponsor Emergency Motion to Assist Ukraine

Councilmember Reagan Dunn with Honorary Ukrainian Consul Valeriy Goloborodko

This week, I met with Honorary Ukrainian Consul Valeriy Goloborodko to discuss how we in King County can support the Ukrainian people as they fight for their freedom and defend their home against Putin’s brutal, unprovoked aggression.

My colleague Councilmember Dembowski and I introduced an emergency motion that would assist Ukraine and our local Ukrainian community in whatever form we can—such as through providing medical supplies, opening our County to refugees, encouraging our employees to support relief efforts, and divesting from investments that could benefit the leadership of the Russian Federation.

I am committed to finding ways to support the people of Ukraine and the 20,000 Ukrainians who call King County home. King County stands with you.

Dunn Speaks at Candlelight Vigils in Support of Ukraine

Councilmember Reagan Dunn with Covington Mayor Jeff Wagner and Councilmember Kristina Soltys at the candlelight vigil to support Ukraine

This past week, I gathered with dozens of community members and leaders in Kent and Covington as we held candlelight vigils for Ukraine. There are moments on this earth that call for us to unify—and this is one of them. We stand with the Ukrainian people as they defend their home, fight for their freedom, and mourn those who have lost their lives during Putin’s invasion. Thank you to everyone who joined, and especially to Covington Councilmember Kristina Soltys, who was born in Ukraine and spoke on behalf of the Ukrainian community here at home.

King County Sheriff's Office Launches New Recruitment Initiative

The King County Sheriff's Office recently hired a full-time recruiter and launched a new initiative to hire more deputies—an effort that I was successful in achieving funding for in King County’s 2021 supplemental budget, along with hiring bonuses for deputies to help with retention.

I encourage you to watch one of their recruitment videos, in which Deputy James Taylor shares why he feels called to serve his community as a police officer. As staffing shortages escalate at the King County Sheriff's Office and we struggle to hire and retain deputies, these efforts to fully staff our Sheriff's Office are more critical than ever.

Dunn to Host Town Hall Meetings in March

I am pleased to announce the dates for my upcoming town hall meetings this month! Town halls are a valuable chance for me to connect with you, hear your thoughts and concerns, and answer any questions you may have about King County services and activities. I hope to see you there!

SCHEDULE

• March 14 - East Renton
• March 15 - Southeast King County
• March 21 - Greater Maple Valley/Cedar River
• March 28 - Four Creeks/Tiger Mountain
• March 30 - Fairwood

HOW TO JOIN

Join via Zoom
Meeting ID: 892 9570 8409 | Passcode: TOWNhall22 (case sensitive)
Dial in: 253-215-8782 | Meeting ID: 892 9570 8409 | Passcode: 4700186961

In the News

• Seattle Times: King County to continue new juvenile restorative justice program, despite pushback
• KOMO News: Proposed King Co. legislation would make it harder to sell stolen catalytic converters
• Kent Reporter: Unity for Ukraine rally in Kent calls for Putin to end war