When we find ourselves in a time of need, panic or emergency we don’t think twice but to call 911.
We have seen police officers come to the aid of our family, friends and neighbors. They arrive, act professionally and compassionately and do their best to keep Kent a safe place to live and work.
But what happens when they get back in their patrol car or head back to the station? Do they have the equipment necessary to make their jobs easier to protect us? Do they have the facilities necessary to serve the sixth largest city in the state? Are they able to fully focus on the residents of Kent without the worry of their working conditions?
The sad reality is that they can’t escape these worries.
Our officers are working in the same police station designed to serve residents in Kent back in 1991. But here is the difference between then and now: In 1991 Kent had a population of 37,960 and today we have a population of more than 120,000. In 1991 Kent had 85 police officers and by 2017 we will have 160 officers.
When we call 911 our police department is there for us – now we have the opportunity to be there for them.
By voting yes on Proposition A, we have the opportunity to build a new police headquarters, which will properly accommodate the growing needs of our first responders. It will update their training facilities so we have the best trained and equipped police force in the region. It also will provide them with resources to deal with the mentally ill community members they come into contact with. This proposition just makes sense.
They risk their lives every day to keep our families safe – let’s keep them safe. Vote yes on Proposition A.
– Bailey Stober
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