A petition to restore the storefront Deputy to the White Center business district that was begun in July by the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council now has an online version. We previously reported in error that the online version was unique but in fact it is the same wording that was written by NHUAC and has been available in physical form since early July. NHUAC was approached by White Center business owner Vera Johnson to also place the petition on Change.org where she found success in her pursuit of a loan modification for her home and business, Village Green Nursery.

That petition, which is available for signature at various White Center businesses has amassed more than 500 signatures thus far.

It reads:

"WE APPEAL TO KING COUNTY EXECUTIVE DOW CONSTANTINE, THE KING COUNTY COUNCIL AND SHERIFF SUE RAHR TO RESTORE THE FUNDING FOR THE WHITE CENTER STORE FRONT DEPUTY.

SINCE THE LOSS OF THIS POSITION, OUR COMMUNITY HAS SEEN AN INCREASED NEED FOR ADDITIONAL POLICE PRESENCE. DRUG DEALING, PROSTITUTION AND PUBLIC INTOXICATION ARE ON THE RISE.

A STORE FRONT DEPUTY CONTRIBUTES TO THE OVERALL SAFETY OF THE WHITE CENTER COMMUNITY BY WORKING TO ADDRESS THESE PUBLIC NUISANCES, THE HOT SPOTS AND ALSO BACK UP THE PATROL DEPUTIES.

WE ASK THAT YOU PRIORITIZE PUBLIC SAFETY FOR THIS COMMUNITY AND RESTORE THE FUNDING FOR OUR STORE FRONT DEPUTY."

King County Executive Dow Constantine has responded to the petition with the following statement:

"I am very concerned about the recent violence in White Center. I am working with the Sheriff’s Office to see if we can secure resources to restore the storefront deputy position. One possible source of funds would be the Criminal Justice Reserve the Council set aside as part of their 2011 budget decisions and I will work with the Council to consider this. Another possible source could be the efficiency savings we are generating in the overall General Fund budget this year. I expect to be able to make a proposal in the next few days.

“As you know, the County had to reduce its General Fund budget by nearly $60 million for 2011, on top of tens of millions in cuts in prior years. The White Center storefront deputy was eliminated as part of these reductions. The sales tax proposal on last November’s ballot would have prevented this and many other public safety budget cuts, but this proposal did not pass. We will continue to look for ways to deliver County services within the narrow revenue base provided under State law.”

The West Seattle Herald also spoke with King County Councilmember Joe McDermott regarding this issue who said, "Whether it's by identifying special funding immediately or as part of the budget process that the council begins next month, I'm very well aware of the need for the storefront deputy in White Center. I'm very supportive of the communities efforts to articulate its need and to have its storefront deputy restored. This is my first budget process so I can't tell you today where the money would come from but its certainly a possibility and I'll be going through the process with an eye for it."

NHUAC President Barbara Dobkin said, "The wording on the petition was written by NHUAC board member, Christine Waldman and signatures have been gathered since early July at all community events, businesses, Jubilee Days, August night out, and door to door through the neighborhood. Presently, we have over 500 signatures on paper. Petitions are available to sign at local businesses: Uncle Mikes BBQ, Proletariat Pizza, Full Tilt Ice Cream, Company, Salvadorian Bakery, as well as several of the local markets.

The petition has also been posted on line, but if people prefer to sign in person, they can go to any of the above mentioned businesses or attend the Hicks Lake BBQ, partially sponsored by NHUAC, on Saturday from 11:00 to 2 pm where NHUAC members will have petitions.

Christine Waldman and I plan on meeting with Dow Constantine and Sheriff Sue Rahr this month to formerly hand over the petitions."

You can find the online version here.