King County Sheriff’s Office reduces staffing, modifies response protocols due to budget cuts

The King County Sheriff's Office is implementing budget-driven staffing reductions at its North and Southeast precincts, impacting unincorporated areas such as Redmond Ridge, Fairwood, and Fall City. The department will now only dispatch deputies to emergencies involving verified alarms and will refer non-injury accidents to the Washington State Patrol, while still responding to incidents involving crimes. Undersheriff Jesse Anderson stated that these measures are necessary to manage the budget, as a significant portion is allocated to salaries, and no deputies will lose their jobs. Residents have expressed concerns over response times and public safety, but officials assured that life-safety emergencies remain a priority. This initial phase of reductions may necessitate further cuts in the future, potentially affecting various policing functions. Overall, the Sheriff's Office emphasizes that these changes are aimed at ensuring officer availability for critical incidents.