It’s safe to give help: Questions and answers about secondhand fentanyl exposure
Cross-posted from Public Health Insider As the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl has spread across King County and the rest of the nation, it has, unfortunately, become more common to encounter a person who may be experiencing an opioid overdose. Questions arise about what to do in that situation – how to give help, and whether it’s safe to do so. Some stories in the media have raised worries about whether people who come into close contact with someone experiencing a fentanyl overdose could get exposed to the drug while trying to help. Dr. Scott Phillips, Medical Toxicologist… Read More
COVID-19 update: Considerations and recommendations as we move into spring
Cross-posted from Public Health Insider With cases slowly but steadily rising over the past month in our region, we’re taking a closer look at what we know about the state of the pandemic locally. The bottom line is that although ongoing ups and downs in COVID-19 activity are likely, it’s best not to become infected and there are effective ways to reduce our risk. Click here for a brief look at the current COVID-19 situation in King County and recommended strategies for anyone who wants to reduce their risk for COVID-19 and long COVID, especially… Read More
Celebrating Earth Day 2022
By Dow Constantine, King County Executive Climate change can feel overwhelming, especially now that we are experiencing the impacts in unprecedented ways. Last summer’s record-setting extreme heat event, coupled with more frequent flooding and greater wildfire risks, makes it clear that climate change is no longer a projection or prediction – it is right here, right now, and certain to get worse. Yet as we mark the 52nd Earth Day, we also see the progress we are making each day to create a more resilient, more sustainable, more equitable future for all… Read More
Juvenile Division uses Lean process to align with new law
As shared from Roll Call: the DAJD newsletter, December 2021 – January 2022 issue Washington state lawmakers signed House Bill 2277 in July 2020, prohibiting the use of solitary confinement statewide. While DAJD’s Juvenile Division is already in alignment with the local King County Ordinance No. 18637 passed in December 2017, this new state legislation created new definitions of both “isolation” and “room confinement.” These definitions posed significant challenges to the Juvenile Division as the Restoration Hall, a living hall where youth spend their free time learning behavioral skills after exhibiting challenging… Read More
Happy 79th birthday to retired Sheriff’s Deputy Harris
Retired Deputy Jerry Harris’ daughter recently contacted the King County’s Sheriff’s Office about her father, who had worked for KCSO from 1969 until his retirement in 1987. “He was very fond of his time with the department and proudly displayed his uniform on his wall,” said Chief Jeff Flohr. “His daughter requested a surprise visit for his 79th birthday, and we were happy to oblige.” Newcastle Police Chief Jason Houck and KCSO Community Engagement Specialist Manny Apostol visited Deputy Harris at his assisted living facility. He shared memories as an MPO and… Read More
Meet the City Hall Park Neighborhood Outreach Team
By Katie Rogers, Department of Community and Human Services Updated Oct. 6, 2022 While downtown, you may come across people in blue coats assisting our unsheltered neighbors around City Hall Park. These people are part of the City Hall Park Neighborhood Outreach Team, a one-of-a-kind program funded through the Behavioral Health and Recovery Division (BHRD) within the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS). Robert Ewanio, a King County employee since 2013, supervises the outreach team and is a familiar face around City Hall Park. He took a Special Duty assignment last… Read More
Celebrating our 911 staff National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week
This week we are recognizing King County’s 911 Communications Center employees and the KCIT employees who support the 911 system during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, Sunday, April 10 through Saturday, April 16. 911 Communications Center employees are the primary link between people who desperately need help and people who provide it. The King County Sheriff’s Office handles 911 calls from unincorporated King County, contract cities, Metro Transit Police, King County Airport Police, and Regional Animal Services of King County. More than half a million people rely on the County’s call receivers,… Read More
King County launches new safety plan for downtown campus
King County has launched a new plan to create a safe, more welcoming environment around County facilities in downtown Seattle. The Civic Campus Safety Plan brings new and augmented resources to King County’s downtown Seattle footprint – bordered by 3rd Avenue, Yesler Terrace, James Street, and Sixth Avenue – with the goal of making the central campus a welcoming space where every person can thrive. Under the plan, expanded security and custodial services include: Additional Sheriff’s Deputies to provide regular patrols on foot and bicycle between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday… Read More
Thank you for participating in the 2022 Employee Engagement Survey
By Whitney Abrams, Chief People Officer I want to sincerely thank you for participating in the 2022 Employee Engagement Survey. This past year has been challenging, and your feedback is essential in giving us the insights and information we need to be a supportive, inclusive, and respectful workplace. This year more than 63% of employees spoke up in the survey. Now your feedback, comments, and results are being reviewed and analyzed and we will share more detailed information and next steps with you in May. We are focused on creating a workplace… Read More
New recruits graduate Sheriff’s academy
Congratulations to Cameron Decker and Kenton Robillard, who were recently sworn in as new deputies by interim Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall. Both Decker and Robillard received additional acknowledgement to include The Partner Award, which is decided upon by their classmates and peers, and the Overall Award for the highest scores in academics, including shooting. The King County Sheriff’s Office continues to recruit officers and staff for a variety of open positions. Click here to view opportunities.
Employee News 