Below is the letter our Justice System Committee sent to Executive Sidhu and County Council members. April 8, 2024 Dear Executive Sidhu and County Council Members, The Riveters Collective Justice System Committee has followed the efforts of Whatcom County’s Justice Project with great interest. Voters… Read More »We want data and accountability for jail sales tax revenue
Our Justice System Committee reviewed the Public Health, Safety, and Justice Facilities and Services Ordinance (full text) that the County will place on the November 2023 ballot. In the following table, we provide a summary of the main topics covered in the ordinance to help… Read More »Learn About the Jail Ordinance
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
On May 24, the County will hold a Town Hall Listening Session to discuss how they plan to improve our local justice system. The meeting agenda states they will provide background on the Justice Project and a 1.5-hour public comment period. We expect the presentation… Read More »Provide feedback about the County’s jail implementation plan
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