Island County budget cuts worry sheriff’s office

COUPEVILLE — Island County sheriff’s officials voiced their concern Wednesday after the Island County board of commissioners voted to cut the public safety budget.

This cut represents a loss of about $188,500 from patrol, administrative and support budgets, Sheriff Mark Brown said.

“I believe it further jeopardizes public and employee safety in Island County,” he said.

Brown said he’s still trying to determine how the cuts will affect staffing and other emergency functions.

The sheriff’s union asked the commissioners to consider other ways to trim the county’s expense, said Darren Crownover, the guild president.

“We work in a dangerous profession that is currently staffed below minimal safe levels,” Crownover said. “To further reduce the numbers of deputies on patrol would create a significant risk to the citizens of Island County and those deputies sworn to protect them.”