King County Sheriff John Urquhart said he would do “everything I can” to ensure the White Center Storefront Deputy position held by BJ Myers will continue to have funding into 2014 and beyond while speaking at the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council Public Safety Forum on May 2.

Funding set aside for the position by the King County Council in 2011 will expire at the end of 2013, meaning money needs to be set aside in the budget King County Executive Dow Constantine is currently working on now.

Urquhart said finding the money for White Center’s beat cop position depends on support from a “three-legged stool” of Constantine, county council, and the Sheriff himself.

Long-time White Center residents attending the meeting said they have predictably seen a rise in crime anytime a storefront deputy is not in place.

Residents were encouraged to start lobbying the “three-legged stool” now to ensure their voice in keeping Myers in place is heard throughout the budget process.

Our full report from the meeting is found here.