HomeMy WebLinkAboutres2006-026WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA BILL NO. 2006 -149
CLEARANCES
Date
Date Received in Council Office
Agenda Date
Assigned to:
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3113106
3114/06
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TITLE OF DOCUMENT: Resolution in
Support of Whatcom County Rapid Border Prosecution Initiative
ATTACHMENTS:
SEPA review required? ( ) Yes (
) NO
Should Clerk schedule a hearing ? ( ) Yes ( ) NO
SEPA review completed? ( ) Yes (
) NO
Requested Date:
SUMMARYSTATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE: (If this item is an ordinance or requires a public
hearing, you must provide the language for use in
the required public notice. Be specific and cite RCW or WCC as appropriate.
Be clear in explaining the intent of the action.)
COMMITTEE ACTION:
COUNCIL ACTION:
3/14/06: Forwarded to Council for
approval
3/14/06: Approved 7 -0
Related County Contract #:
Related File Numbers:
Ordinance or Resolution
Number: Res. 2006 -026
Please Note: Once adopted and signed, ordinances and resolutions are available for viewing and printing
on the County's website at: www.co.whatcom.wa.us /council.
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SPONSORED BY: Consent
PROPOSED BY: Executive
INTRODUCTION DATE: 3/14/06
RESOLUTION NO 2006 -026
SUPPORT OF WHATCOM COUNTY RAPID BORDER PROSECUTION INITIATIVE
WHEREAS, Whatcom County is an international border community that has five ports of
entry, including the Peace Arch Port of Entry in Blaine, which is one of the busiest points of entry in
the United States; and
WHEREAS, Interstate 5 begins on the United States /Mexican Border and passes directly
through Whatcom County ending its northern terminus at the United States /Canadian Border; and
WHEREAS, the impact on the criminal justice system from border related crime, captured
fugitives, drug trafficking and crimes committed by persons refused entry into Canada is at the heart
of the law and justice process; and
WHEREAS, during 2005 and into 2006 the Rapid Border Prosecution Project has been
implemented to move so called "fast track offenders" through the criminal justice system in a more
rapid fashion, thus freeing up resources to deal with day to day local issues and find efficiencies in
dealing with the impact of border related crime by the transitory population which severely impacts
an already backlogged law and justice system; and
WHEREAS, the "Fast Track" program was implemented on July 1, 2005 and has resulted in
an average of 64% of guilty please on cases selected for "Fast Track" within two weeks from the
date of arraignment; and
WHEREAS, this program has reduced the overall time for all cases to move through the
Prosecutor's Office from 217 days to 197 days and has also reduced the average time from
charging to sentencing on felony cases from 217 days to 37 days when "Fast Track" is used.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED thatthe Whatcom County Council strongly supports
the efforts of the County Executive and his request for a congressionally designated appropriation to
allow the continuation of this successful program.
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14 day of March , 2006.
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
L Council Chair