SNOHOMISH — If all goes according to plan, the Snohomish Police Department will get a $100,000 remodel sometime this year and it won’t cost taxpayers a cent.
Instead, drug dealers will pick up the tab.
Police Chief John Flood is proposing to the Snohomish City Council that money seized in drug investigations be used to pay for the work.
“I guess you could say we’re taxing the drug dealers,” he said.
The money has been collected during the past five years.
A few years ago, the department made a series of heroin-related arrests that included some dealers higher up the distribution chain.
“When they were going to get drugs, they would have anywhere from $5,000 to $50,000 cash, depending on whom they were getting it from,” Flood said.
When the dealers were arrested, police moved to legally seize the cash.
The police department occupies a building that was once a bank.
If the project is approved, much of the work will be aimed at making the floor plan seem more like a traditional police department, Flood said.
More private space would be set aside for patrol officers to concentrate when they are writing up reports.
A second interview room would be added that will be a quiet space for sensitive conversations. The evidence processing area would be moved.
Carpet and a new paint job are also part of the plan. If there’s money left over, there could be some new furniture.
Flood said the work is aimed at improving the workplace for patrol officers. Ultimately, the work should make the station feel more professional, he said.
“We are excited,” Flood said.
“I don’t want to go out and buy a toy. I want to get something like this that I think will benefit the department and the city for years to come.”
Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446; stevick@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
