The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office has secured $660,000 in federal funding for body-worn camera technology thanks to Congresswoman Kim Schrier’s efforts. Schrier, a pediatrician from Sammamish representing Washington’s 8th congressional district, successfully advocated for this funding through a Community Project Funding request process that she describes as rigorous, methodical, and bipartisan.
Schrier emphasizes that the decision-making process for allocating these funds is not arbitrary and involves input from a panel of individuals from both parties. During an event in Wenatchee, Schrier celebrated the funding victory alongside local officials such as Wenatchee Mayor Mike Poirier, Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison, and Chelan County Commissioner Shon Smith.
Schrier acknowledges the challenges of navigating the current political climate in Congress, noting that securing a budget was essential for projects like this to come to fruition. The event also included a demonstration of the new body camera technology, with attendees getting a glimpse of how the technology works.
In the midst of these positive developments, it’s important to remember the importance of body-worn cameras in law enforcement. The recent release of body cam footage from the Boise Mall shooting serves as a stark reminder of how crucial these tools are for transparency and accountability in policing. The tragic event in Boise last year showcased the value of body cameras in capturing critical moments and providing an accurate record of events.