Women lose in budget proposal

Clearly, Snohomish County Executive Bob Drewel is trying to muscle victims of domestic violence into the back seat of his 2004 budget. The question now is: Where do our elected council members stand on an issue so important to women choosing to make their homes and raise their families in Snohomish County?

By eliminating five judicial services officer positions, the county is sharply reducing the sheriff’s ability to serve thousands of domestic violence protection orders issued by our courts each year. The protection and enforceability provided by these orders exist only if successfully served on the abuser. Service of domestic violence protection orders is the No. 1 priority of our county’s judicial services officers, and the idea that patrol deputies will somehow manage to service all these orders, while responding to the current crush of 911 calls, is an unreasonable compromise considering who is at risk – women.

With more than 2,700 employee positions, countless programs and projects, cutting first those services needed by women exposed to domestic abuse sends the wrong message. Snohomish County needs to reconsider the importance of this vital program and the citizens it protects.

Stanwood