HomeMy WebLinkAboutCriminal Justice Aug 8 2023Whatcom County
Council Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee
COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
(360)778-5010
Committee Minutes - Final
Tuesday, August 8, 2023
1:30 PM
Hybrid Meeting
HYBRID MEETING - ADJOURNS BY 1:50 P.M. (PARTICIPATE IN -PERSON, SEE
REMOTE JOIN INSTRUCTIONS AT www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil, OR
CALL 360.778.5010)
COUNCILMEMBERS
Barry Buchanan
Tyler Byrd
Carol Frazey
CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
Dana Brown -Davis, C.M.C.
Council Criminal Justice and Public Committee Minutes - Final August 8, 2023
Safety Committee
Call To Order
Roll Call
Committee Chair Barry Buchanan called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m.
in a hybrid meeting.
Present: 3 - Barry Buchanan, Tyler Byrd, and Carol Frazey
Also Present: Todd Donovan, Kaylee Galloway, and Kathy Kershner
Announcements
Special Presentation
1. B2023-.3. Report from the Sheriff's Office
Bill Elfo, Sheriff, reported on issues affecting public safety, the effective
administration of justice in Whatcom County, and the operations of the
Sheriffs Office. He stated this will be his last annual update to the Council
as the constitutionally -elected Sheriff and he wants to express his
appreciation to the Council and the citizens of Whatcom County for their
support of our men and women at the Sheriff's Office whom he is proud to
lead. He spoke about the following:
• Jail structural security and safety infrastructure issues
• The rise of crime in Whatcom County
• Staffing in the Sheriffs Office
a Mental health interventions
• The Fentanyl crisis
• A change in policies which will end investigations by the Washington
State Patrol of serious injury and fatal crashes on county roads for
us
• Jail and Emergency Management staffing
• Search and Rescue activities and housing of Search and Rescue
He answered what sort of collaboration he might have with his successor on
making sure the appointment of a new chief feels like a joint decision, and
whether the five deputy Sheriffs currently in the academy are the ones the
Council funded with the last budget.
Frazey thanked him for the information he gives them.
This agenda item was REPORTED.
Malcom County Page I
Council Criminal Justice and Public Committee Minutes - Final August 8, 2023
Safety Committee
Items Added by Revision
Other Business
Adiournment
There were no agenda items added by revision.
There was no other business.
The meeting adjourned at 1:46 p.m.
ATTEST:
04y46�2g{EedB<fr
."', ° WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
U�r
®q a ® f= WHATCOM COUNTY, WA
i"
IN
" -- Barry Buchanan -via email 8/11/2023
Dana'giro-�� GouncihClerk Barry Buchanan, Committee Chair
nAiAtcR-W,try
Kristi Felbinger, Minutes Transcription
Wkatcom County Page 2