Police advisory board presses homelessness solutions; mayor outlines pallet-shelter sites and social‑worker plan

Rachel Paul (chair) and Melinda Buchanan (vice chair) delivered the Police Community Advisory Board’s annual update at Oak Harbor’s July 14 workshop, focusing on outreach, recruitment, and public-safety concerns in the Barlow/Spin Cafe corridor.

CAB members described door‑to‑door surveys and a National Night Out survey that identified homelessness, substance use and perceived safety as top local concerns. They said recent field trips to pallet-shelter programs in Mount Vernon and other cities shaped a recommendation to explore pallet shelters — small, temporary single-occupancy units (roughly 8-by-8 feet) used as transitional housing, typically for 0–90 or 0–120 days — as one tool to increase housing availability.

Chief of Police Tony Slowick told council the department is actively recruiting and currently has seven vacancies (one sergeant, six officers), of which three positions must be entry-level hires tied to Department of Justice grant requirements. He said applicant quality and background checks have limited hires despite recent recruitment efforts and that the department has added a citizen representative to civil‑service screening.

Council discussion addressed pallet-shelter logistics (site selection, infrastructure needs such as grading and fencing, application/admission processes), limits of city authority, and regional gaps in inpatient treatment and provider capacity. Legal counsel reminded council the city must be careful about liability and suggested staff meet with the chief and city attorney to explore options.

Mayor Wright outlined next steps: staff are investigating two city-owned plots as potential sites, tentatively planning for about 40 pallet units, and will pursue grant funding (House Bill 2015 funding/CJSTC referenced) and legislative support. The mayor also said he is exploring a plan to embed four social workers inside the police department to work alongside officers — citing other cities’ data that showed 25–30% reductions in response time for related incidents — and that these proposals are in early, grant‑dependent stages.

CAB leaders asked the council how it would like CAB to focus its efforts; councilmembers offered to help with recruitment and community outreach. No formal action or vote occurred; staff will return with more detailed proposals and funding options.