Whatcom County Council Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee

The Whatcom County Council's Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee received two significant briefings that highlighted both operational challenges and critical upcoming decisions for the county's justice infrastructure. Undersheriff Steve Harris delivered the annual Sheriff's Office report, revealing staffing pressures with nine frozen positions heading into 2026, while also celebrating expanded programs including crisis intervention training and modernized operations. The report painted a picture of an agency adapting to increased demands — Search and Rescue missions nearly doubled from 38 in 2023 to 74 in 2025, while the Civil Division saw a 33% increase in court document services. The second and more consequential discussion centered on location options for the planned Behavioral Care Center, a key component of the Justice Project that has been under deliberation for months. Adam Johnson from STV presented three potential sites: repurposing the current Work Release Center at Division Street, building new on vacant Division Street property, or constructing at the La Bounty Drive jail site. The presentation revealed stark cost and timeline differences, with the Work Center renovation being cheapest but delaying operations until 2030, while new construction at Division Street or La Bounty could begin in tandem with jail construction. Council members engaged in detailed questioning about structural engineering concerns, cost allocations, and the broader strategic value of maintaining the Work Center as a county asset. The discussion revealed tensions between immediate cost savings and long-term facility planning, with staff noting the Work Center's $8 million market value and potential for future behavioral health campus expansion. Committee Chair Barry Buchanan emphasized that a decision must be made by the second Council meeting in January to keep the Justice Project on schedule.