With the loss of the North Bend Police contract, Snoqualmie now faces a police funding gap. North Bend had been covering a portion of our police overhead and support costs; losing this contract has forced discussions of staff reductions that threaten both patrol and support staff — and our community’s sense of safety.

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The impact is already being felt; patrol and support officers alike are worried about their future. Some have already left, while others are seeking new jobs. Growing rumors suggest cuts, unsustainable workloads, or even outsourcing to King County or another city. As one of the two candidates for Mayor, the police union and others have asked my viewpoint on where we go from here.

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Time and again, Snoqualmie residents have affirmed they want a local police department — one staffed by officers who know our neighborhoods, who understand our small-town approach to public safety, and who are committed to serving Snoqualmie with pride. Within the past decade, Snoqualmie voters have twice voted to support additional public safety funding — in 2017 by 58% and again in 2024 by 66% — showing strong and clear community support for local policing.

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I want to make my position clear: I believe in maintaining our own police department. Both patrol and the support positions must be adequately funded to keep our department running effectively. During my six years on the City Council, I consistently supported competitive pay, strong training, and full equipment for our officers.

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I have backed investments with clear benefit to our officers and residents, while questioning costly proposals with limited benefit — such as take-home vehicles — preferring instead to direct resources into salaries, essential needs, and the critical support roles that make patrol work successful.

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If elected, I will advocate for preserving Snoqualmie’s police — both patrol and the vital support staff who make their work possible — so that residents can count on keeping our police department local.

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While the cost of alternatives is always relevant and should not be withheld from discussion, I do not believe they can replace the value of officers who know our community and reflect our small-town character. Snoqualmie’s values — and our residents’ clear support for local policing — must guide the path forward.