My proposal to declare fentanyl a public health crisis passes committee

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

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I am happy to share that earlier this week, my legislation to declare fentanyl a public health crisis in King County unanimously passed the Law, Justice, Health and Human Services Committee.

The spread of fentanyl through our communities is nothing short of heartbreaking and tragic, claiming the lives of too many people—sons, daughters, sisters, brothers—across our County and nationwide. According to the King County Medical Examiner Office’s Fatal Overdose Dashboard, the number of people in King County who died from a fentanyl overdose more than doubled last year alone. So far in 2022, we are on track to set yet another new record—roughly 238 people have died from fentanyl, a 43% increase compared to this time last year. This is why in addition to declaring the public health crisis, my legislation would task King County with identifying strategies and recommendations to amplify its efforts to reduce fentanyl-related deaths.

This is an urgent issue that demands we dedicate our full attention and resources to reducing the fentanyl death rate. I am grateful to my colleagues for their support in committee and will continue to update you as it moves to the full Council.

All my best,

Reagan Dunn King County Councilmember District 9

Dunn Proposes Trailhead Safety Initiative Amid Spike in Car Break-Ins

Poo Poo Point Trailhead

As King County is seeing increased reports of trailhead break-ins and car prowls, this week I introduced legislation that would place security cameras, signage, and other measures at higher-risk King County parks and trailheads.  

My proposal would task King County with identifying trailheads that attract the most car-prowl incidents and then use that information to install security cameras and signage to warn visitors of the high rate of break-ins in that area. A volunteer-based watch group would track and monitor cars in the lots and report any suspicious behavior and violations.

Learn more here. 

See You Saturday at Ravensdale Park!

I hope to see you at one of our upcoming outdoor movies showings, coming soon to Ravensdale Park and Petrovitsky Park! Pack a picnic, bring the family, and make a night of it. Details are below! 

Luca at Ravensdale Park
Saturday, July 9
Seating opens at 8 PM, movie starts at 9:30 PM

Despicable Me at Petrovitsky Park
Saturday, July 30
Seating opens at 8 PM, movie starts at 9:10 PM

Now Accepting Applications: 4Culture’s 2022 Collections Care Grant 

The annual Collections Care grant program supports the work of King County non-profit heritage organizations by providing the funds necessary to assess, organize, catalog, clean, repair, document, digitize, and, ultimately, preserve heritage resources in King County.

The deadline to submit applications is August 10^th at 5 PM. For more information, visit the 4Culture website. 

King County Auditor Seeks Community Suggestions for Future Audits

The King County Auditor’s Office is looking for input from the public as it plans its work for the next two years. They have launched a new website where people can suggest agencies and activities to be audited, as well as make specific suggestions for improvement.

Members of the public are encouraged to visit the community input page and share ideas and suggestions. Ideas submitted before August 15^th will be considered for inclusion in the next work plan.

The King County Auditor’s Office conducts oversight of county government through independent audits, capital projects oversight, and other studies. Past audits have included reviewing Sheriff’s Office traffic stops, the county’s senior tax exemption program, Metro bus safety, pandemic planning, labor relations and much more.

In the News

• KING5 News: Fentanyl could be declared a public health crisis in King County in new proposal
• KIRO7 News: Signs, cameras proposed amid spike in car break-ins at King County trailheads