HomeMy WebLinkAboutCorrespondence - BOCCAugust 31, 2020
Grant County
Office of The
Board of County Commissioners
P O Box 37
Ephrata WA 98823
(509) 754-2011
To: Senator Andy Billig, Senator John Braun, Representative Laurie Jinkins, and Representative
J.T. Wilcox
Dear Washington State Legislature Majority & Minority Leaders:
We will be concise and to the point with this letter. As with many other Washington counties, we
believe our county is experiencing a law enforcement emergency. Criminals are brazenly taking
advantage of their newly created opportunities to flaunt the law and do great damage to our law-
abiding citizens and their property.
With the passage during the last session of bills such as HB 1054, HB 1310, SB 5051, etc. our
law enforcement officials are effectively hindered from protecting our citizenry. When
perpetrators, leaving the scene of a crime, wave to or signal their disdain for law enforcement as
they drive by our officers; it is demoralizing for deputies and incredibly angering to the victims.
There is "reasonable suspicion," but not "probable cause." Seems ridiculous, doesn't it? We
would be incredulous if you were to say you have not been aware of the devastating effects these
laws have had in our communities.
Please, call a special session to deal with the obvious shortcomings and, we hope, unintended
consequences of these ill-conceived laws. Law enforcement and citizens all across the state are
crying out for relief. Your taxpayers deserve better. Your law enforcement deserves better. This
is a very difficult situation the Washington State Legislature has put all of us in and it needs to be
fixed now.
Awaiting Your Response,
BOARD OFC LINTY COMMISSIONERS
Cindy Carter, Chair Danny V.Stone, Vice Chair R o es, Member
Danny E. Stone Rob Jones Cindy Carter
District 1 District 2 District 3
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