Renton council adopts interlocal agreement to join postal contraband task force; city clarifies it is not immigration enforcement

The Renton City Council voted to adopt a resolution authorizing the mayor and city clerk to enter an interlocal agreement with the United States Postal Inspection Service to participate in the Seattle Contraband Interdiction Investigations (CI2) Task Force.

Council Member Perez moved adoption of the resolution; Council Member Halloran seconded. The motion carried on a voice vote with no recorded opposition.

During discussion, a council member asked whether participation would involve federal immigration enforcement. A council member clarified that Renton Police Department involvement would be limited to investigating, arresting and prosecuting individuals engaged in illegal drug activity associated with U.S. mail and asserted the agreement would not involve immigration enforcement or conflict with the Keep Washington Working Act.

The agreement includes reimbursement for overtime for task‑force officers and vehicle maintenance: up to $20,707.50 per officer per year and $2,500 per vehicle per year, as described in the finance committee report.

Why it matters: joining the CI2 Task Force establishes a formal local partnership with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service to target mail‑based contraband. Council members emphasized limits on the scope of enforcement to drug‑related crimes linked to postal activity and not to immigration enforcement. The council did not adopt additional policy language beyond authorizing the interlocal agreement at this meeting.