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Residents tell commissioners rising gang and drug activity, call for more funding for first responders
Summary
Speakers during public comment urged the Board to increase funding, staffing and equipment for deputies, firefighters and specialized units, citing rising gang activity, drug trafficking and understaffing in unincorporated areas.
Two residents raised public-safety concerns during the meeting and urged the board to support increased funding and staffing for law enforcement and emergency responders.
Sean O’Dell, who identified himself as an employee of Washington Water Service and a Port Orchard resident, said Kitsap County has seen a rise in drug activity and gang violence that affects schools, neighborhoods and businesses. He praised deputies and firefighters for their professionalism but said first responders are stretched, with limited manpower and aging equipment, and urged proactive investment in recruitment, retention, training and specialized units (including gang and drug-enforcement efforts).
Anthony Angelo, a Port Orchard resident, said he and other residents regularly encounter high-speed driving and low law-enforcement visibility in unincorporated South Kitsap. He urged commissioners to work with the sheriff and deputies to address staffing and enforcement. Commissioners noted the sheriff is an independently elected official and said the sheriff’s initiative to seek voter support for expanded resources may be a mechanism to raise staffing levels.
No formal board action was taken; both comments were delivered during the public-comment period and were entered into the meeting record.
