WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. – Whatcom County’s Prosecuting Attorney acknowledges that there’s been an increase in property crime, but says the situation should improve.
Eric Richey says property crime rates in our community, including vehicle thefts, have reached staggering levels.
He blames a variety of factors including new laws passed last year that put restraints on some police tactics.
Those laws coincided with a perfect storm of jail restrictions and a shutdown of jury trials due to COVID-19.
Now that trials are continuing, Richey says holding people properly accountable for their crimes will be easier.
He says some of the policing law reforms enacted in Olympia this year should also help.
However, he would like lawmakers to take more action on what he considers weak drug laws in Washington.
He encourages residents to contact state lawmakers and to get involved in the discussion of a new jail for Whatcom County.