On June 22, 2023, the Riveters’ Justice System Committee sent County Executive Satpal Sidhu and Councilmembers the letter below regarding the draft jail funding ordinance they intend to place on the November 2023 ballot. We recommend contacting these local officials to support these changes and… Read More »Read our recommendations for improving the County’s jail funding ordinance
Live Webinar and Q&A via Zoom – October 13, 2021, 7:00-8:30pm Register Now Confusion and misinformation resulted when new police reform laws became effective in July. This webinar aims to demystify the intent of the police reform legislation and its impact on local policies affecting… Read More »Join us October 13 for our New Police Reform Laws: Legislative Intent and Community Impact webinar
The Justice System Committee reviewed police union contracts up for negotiation. Bellingham, Blaine, and Lynden will negotiate police union contracts in fall 2021. Ferndale and Whatcom County contracts will renew in 2022. Learn about the minimum changes needed to ensure accountability to the public by reading… Read More »Read our recommendations for improving local police union contracts
(last updated: September 21, 2021) Since January, the Justice System Committee has been tracking justice-system related bills filed during the 2021 legislative session. All bills listed below have been signed into law. Policing HB 1001 – Authorizes the development of a 2-year grant program to… Read More »Check the Status of 2021 Legislative Bills We Tracked
Tell Bellingham what you want in a Police Chief by this Friday, April 16th! The City of Bellingham is asking for feedback on priorities to consider in the selection of the next Police Chief. Details about the position available in the job posting (External link)… Read More »Tell Bellingham what you want in a Police Chief by this Friday, April 16th!
Update: On March 26, 2021, the Justice System Committee sent Blaine, Lynden, and Bellingham city executives and police chiefs the following letter signed by nearly 135 Whatcom County residents.
**UPDATE: On November 24, 2020, Whatcom County Council approved a resolution Affirming Racism is a Public Health Crisis.** Contact Whatcom County Council Members ASAP to call for their support of the resolution Affirming Racism is a Public Health Crisis Source: Riveters Collective Justice System Committee… Read More »Tell Whatcom County Council to declare racism a public health crisis
UPDATE: Partial victory! While Bellingham turned out to express outrage at the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers, it’s disappointing that Bellingham Police still lacks a permanent citizen community-led oversight body with a lead role in police accountability. Instead, the Bellingham Police Department… Read More »Demand citizen oversight for BPD
Riveters Collective values a fair and compassionate justice system with decisions informed by data and community process. This is the community’s jail and should reflect our values. Acknowledging that Whatcom County’s existing jail requires upgrades at a minimum, we see an opportunity to implement a… Read More »Jail Ballot Measure Votes: An Open Letter from the RC