Update: The Cascadia Daily reported that “local Democrats in the state Legislature helped pass a new law criminalizing drug use and possession during a one-day special session in Olympia on May 16, but some said the new law was less than ideal. The bill passed… Read More »Contact your legislators during the drug possession law special session
In March 2023, the Cascadia Daily published a series of four articles titled Beyond Bars: the Future of Justice in Whatcom County. In these investigative reports, they explain Whatcom County’s plan to approach voters with a 2023 jail replacement funding proposal. For your convenience and… Read More »The Cascadia Daily reports on plans for funding a new jail and services facilities
Today, we sent an email to all 40th and 42nd district legislators asking them to support the Coalition’s 2023 legislative priorities. We also asked the state representatives in these districts to sign on as a co-sponsor for the Access to Fairness Act. We encourage you… Read More »The Riveters’ Justice System Committee supports the WA Coalition for Police Accountability’s 2023 legislative priorities
On July 1, 2022, the Attorney Generals’ Office (AGO) published a Model Use of Force Policy that provides guidance on use of force and de-escalation tactics. We believe it will: To demonstrate support of the AGO’s model policy, the Riveters’ Justice System Committee sent letters… Read More »The Justice System Committee supports AGO’s Model Use of Force Policy
On July 11, 2022, our Justice System Committee (JSC) sent a letter1 to Bellingham’s Mayor Fleetwood, Whatcom County Executive Sidhu, and What-Comm 911 Deputy Director Everbeck asking how they responded to a May 12, 2022 letter2 from the ACLU of Washington about potential violations of… Read More »Read the Justice System Committee’s letter about potential violations of the Keep Washington Working Act
Good news – During its May 9, 2022 meeting, City Council voted unanimously to request that the mayor and City attorney move forward with drafting model proposals for a city-funded immigrant resource center, which would provide resources to the 24,000 immigrants (or 10.11% of total… Read More »Bellingham’s Immigration Advisory Board receives mixed news
The City of Bellingham announced it will hold a virtual forum on Thursday, March 17 at 5:30pm so the public can meet the semi-finalists for the Bellingham Chief of Police position. The candidates will give their introductions and answer pre-chosen questions from the community. Following the… Read More »Register for Bellingham’s March 17 Police Chief Candidate Forum
The City of Bellingham is asking for our feedback as they consider hiring the next Police Chief. Details about the position, community feedback opportunities, and candidate selection timeline are available at the Community Feedback About Police Chief Selection webpage. The survey questions posed by the… Read More »By January 31, tell Bellingham officials what you want in a Police Chief!
If you missed Part 1 and 2, catch up by viewing them in our Learn Why We Believe Public Safety Reform is Necessary series. In Part 2 of our Learn Why We Believe Public Safety Reform is Necessary series, the Riveters’ Justice System Committee identified… Read More »Part 2b: Ferndale PD’s internal investigation sheds light on an imperfect process
If you missed Part 1, catch up by viewing it in our Learn Why We Believe Public Safety Reform is Necessary series. The Justice System Committee research shows that maintaining complaint records and conducting independent investigations are important steps for finding patterns in individual officers… Read More »Part 2: Tracking Police Officer Complaints, a Justice System Committee series