Federal Way Police Department applies for $4M Waspic grant for auto theft task force

The Federal Way Police Department is set to enhance its efforts against auto theft following the Finance/Economic Development/Regional Affairs Committee's approval to apply for a significant grant from the Washington State Patrol Auto Theft Task Force (WASPIC). The grant, which exceeds $4 million, aims to fund a supervisor, seven detectives, and a crime analyst, bolstering the existing task force that has been operational since 2017.

During the meeting on April 24, 2025, Police Chief spoke about the urgency of the application, noting that the deadline had already passed on April 1. Despite this, the department submitted the application, confident in its chances of securing the funding. The task force, which includes 12 police agencies from South King County and Pierce County, has seen a notable decrease in auto thefts, with incidents dropping from over 46,000 statewide in February 2023 to approximately 26,000 recently. This decline is attributed to changes in pursuit laws that have allowed police to engage more effectively with suspects.

The committee also discussed the need to backfill a lieutenant position within the department as Lieutenant Christopher Kruse is expected to be assigned to the task force for a three-year term. Chief emphasized that this move would not increase costs for the city, as the salary and benefits for the backfilled position would be reimbursed through the grant.

The committee unanimously approved the motion to forward the grant application to the city council's consent agenda for final approval on May 6, 2025. This decision marks a significant step in enhancing public safety and addressing the ongoing issue of auto theft in the region. The police department is optimistic about the future, with plans to continue hiring and maintaining a robust force to support these initiatives.