Franklin County voters said no to a public safety tax that would have helped pay for a jail expansion, a new police station and other needed infrastructure fixes.
A similar measure failed in 2002.
We understand the first reaction to the idea of most taxes is "no," especially here in Eastern Washington. But something has got to give, especially at the jail. It is overcrowded to the point that the federal government could someday step in and mandate changes, at the expense of Franklin County.
County residents all know the once-sleepy area has exploded in population in the past 10 years. More people require more police and a bigger station to house the officers and their equipment. And a bigger jail. It's a numbers game, after all.
Public safety should be the No. 1 concern of residents. If your hometown is not a safe place to live, little else matters. Crime has a negative trickle-down effect on everything from the school system to the retail sector.
But voters said no to the 0.3 percent sales tax increase, a minor amount on almost any purchase. (Autos would have been exempted.)
Unlike a property tax, the cost would have been spread across those just visiting town and using taxpayer-funded services like sports fields and other facilities as well as those who reside in Franklin County full time.
It seemed like a fair way to find money for improvements to public safety.
We can all agree that Yakima has a serious problem with crime. Headlines are frequently led by shootings in that nearby city. Voters renewed a public safety tax there by more than 78 percent in the recent election. The voters know there is work to be done and money is needed to wage the battle against crime.
You may say Franklin County is no Yakima when it comes to crime. But many of us can remember a day when Pasco had a deserved reputation as a very scary place. During the recent campaign, city leaders and law enforcement repeatedly brought up the major strides that have been made in the past 20 years in reducing crime in Pasco.
We're disappointed that voters didn't see the importance of the improvements the tax would have helped pay for. Now, city and county leaders will be forced to look elsewhere for money. And voters may not like where they find it.
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EDITORIAL: Public safety tax: Yes
EDITORIAL: Public safety tax: Yes
Franklin County's proposition for a public safety tax is sure to run into an anti-tax backlash.
But the proposal deserves more than a knee-jerk reaction against all new taxes. Voters should consider the facts and the safety of their community before acting.
The run-down and outdated Franklin County jail is woefully overcrowded, typically housing twice the number of inmates it was designed to accommodate. While inmates certainly don't deserve luxury accommodations, they are entitled to humane living conditions.
Franklin County tax may fund Pasco cop hires
Franklin County tax may fund Pasco cop hires
Plain clothes police officers targeting Pasco gang-related crimes might be the first fruit of the new public safety sales tax.
Pasco City Council will consider Monday whether to start the hiring process for four officers to replace the experienced officers who will form the new street crimes unit.
Gang suppression was one of the intended uses of the 0.3 percent public safety sales tax 61 percent of county voters approved in November. The sales tax also will be used to pay for Pasco Municipal Court space, a Pasco Police Station and a new and remodeled Franklin County jail.
Franklin criminal justice sales tax passes
Franklin criminal justice sales tax passes
Tuesday night may become an important turning point for gang suppression and public safety in Franklin County.
Franklin County Sheriff Richard Lathim said the 0.3 percent criminal justice sales tax could have a huge impact on public safety in the next decade and help the county control gangs and be a safer community.
As of Tuesday night, almost
62 percent of voters were in favor of the 30-year tax bump.
Pasco to urge local cities to merge dispatch centers
Pasco to urge local cities to merge dispatch centers
Pasco officers may be communicating using a new radio system by next year.
The Pasco City Council unanimously agreed Tuesday to urge Kennewick, Richland, Benton County and Franklin County to join the city in forming a regional emergency communications system during 2012.
Pasco intends to have police officers switch to the 800 megahertz radio system Kennewick and Richland police use by the end of the year. Pasco fire would continue to use the very high frequency, or VHF, system.
Officials aim to show need for new Franklin County jail
Officials aim to show need for new Franklin County jail
Franklin County voters can see why officials say a new county jail is needed today during a tour of the crowded, run-down jail.
Sheriff Richard Lathim said an expanded jail would catch up with the community's growth and provide for the next 20 or so years.
The county already would be able to fill two-thirds of the 335 beds of a new jail, he said.
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