Brett Rogers Responds to Snohomish County Mayors' Announcement

SNOHOMISH, Wash. - Oct. 6, 2022 - PRLog -- KOMO News was on hand to report on a recent announcement made by mayors of Everett, Lake Stevens, Marysville, and Sultan concerning a new, countywide coalition aimed at improving public safety in Snohomish County: Snohomish County Mayors Reveal New Coalition Aimed to Improve Public Safety (linked here for your benefit: https://bit.ly/3McVniJ.

Brett Rogers, candidate for Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney, issued the following statement in response to a group of Snohomish County Mayors announcing a joint effort to address crime:

I am encouraged that a significant number of Snohomish County Mayors have recognized that the current level of crime and disorder is unacceptable and have taken the first steps to collectively address the problems. The mayors raised a number of issues that I have identified, and suggested solutions for, over the past several months.1

Lake Stevens Mayor Brett Gailey noted, "These are county-wide issues and problems, and they demand county-wide strategies and solutions." I have previously stated that crime is a regional issue, and that crime does not stop at a city or county border. I have called for regional prosecutors to cooperate and share information as it would have a compounding effect on the reduction of crime. Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring said, "…We have to acknowledge that sometimes jail is the best short-term solution while someone can get some help long-term…" Mayor Nehring's statement echoes my belief when those addicted to drugs enter the criminal justice system it is an opportunity for an "intervention," and a chance to get them on the path to sobriety.

Mayor Gailey added, "We have this UPF problem, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm. I did some quick stats in the City of Lake Stevens, small city, right? Since 2016, 32 UPF cases, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a felon. One prosecution. Who kills people on the street? Felons kill felons, felons kill cops, felons kill other people who are innocently by-standing because they don't have a problem, they have no fear carrying a firearm. And it's because they're emboldened by policies such as Blake and the pursuit policy that they'll further carry on these criminal acts." I have highlighted a number of recent incidents where convicted felons have been arrested for possessing firearms, sometimes stolen firearms, only to be released without charges.

Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin said she has a verbal commitment from the Snohomish County Prosecutor to prioritize these types of cases. Franklin noted that a lack of prosecution of these -- Authorized and paid for by Vote Brett, Brett Rogers for Snohomish County Prosecutor, Republican -- types of cases have been a "major frustration." The decision by the Prosecutor's Office to address this long-standing issue, now, on the eve of an election, appears more political than a genuine concern for public safety.

Mayor Nehring noted, "We really need more transparency regarding charging decisions, bail, convictions, and sentencing to increase public confidence in the judicial system." Transparency — not just in the Prosecutor's Office, but in the greater criminal justice system — has been a cornerstone of my campaign and is perhaps one of the easiest goals to achieve.

I look forward to working with Snohomish County law enforcement and elected officials to make Snohomish County safer for everyone.

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Visit votebrettrogers.com for more information about Brett Rogers' bid for Snohomish County Prosecutor. Supporters are encouraged to give a financial donation and meet Brett at a future event.

1All content may be found on Brett Rogers' Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BRSnoCoPro