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Police, RACER and retail crime: council considers merchant responsibilities and regional behavioral health collaboration
Summary
Council and staff reviewed police response levels and RACER behavioral‑health partnership activity, and discussed rising retail shoplifting calls and the possibility of fee models or increased security expectations for chronically affected businesses.
Council and staff used the March 1 retreat to discuss patterns in public‑safety demand, regional behavioral‑health responses and pressures on local policing.
Chief Ross and other staff highlighted that Lake Forest Park’s police department is maintaining response capability but that repeated calls to the same retail establishments create strain on officer time. Council and staff discussed options other jurisdictions use — fines or fees tied to repeat false‑alarm/shoplifting responses, stronger private‑security expectations and off‑duty officer assignments — while acknowledging legal and staffing limits.
The RACER behavioral‑health co‑response program (regional) received positive mention for stabilizing many calls; staff said recent legal and capacity constraints in the behavioral‑health system (including county and hospital intake bottlenecks) are limiting options for longer‑term placement for people who need involuntary care. Council and staff agreed to continue supporting RACER and to explore policy options — including outreach to retail property managers — to reduce repeat emergency calls while protecting worker safety and access to services.
