Tacoma Weekly | Pierce County Council Frames Public Safety Through Policy and Civic Tone
By: Brian Kidd
A spate of meetings earlier in the week converged on a central theme at the Pierce County Council’s March 17 meeting: public safety, not only in terms of criminal justice funding and infrastructure, but also in the broader sense of civic stability and political tolerance.
Meeting in its new downtown Tacoma chambers at 1501 Market Street, the council moved through a relatively streamlined agenda, but one item clearly dominated discussion: a unanimous resolution condemning political violence and calling for renewed commitment to civil discourse. That conversation, combined with the recent adoption of a new criminal justice sales tax known as the Justice and Unified Safety Tax, or Justice Fund, framed public safety as both a structural and civic concern.
The Tacoma City Council did not meet this week, instead attending the National League of Cities conference in Washington, D.C. While city leaders engaged with federal policymakers, Pierce County officials echoed similar themes closer to home, citing former Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland, now serving as the U.S. representative for Washington’s 10th District, during discussion of the resolution.
Strickland stated, “While our country may have great disagreements, it is important that we come together as neighbors, Pierce County residents, and as Americans to respectfully discuss our beliefs. Civil discourse is a fundamental part of our American fabric and enshrined in our Constitution. We know any act of political violence hurts us all and makes our communities more dangerous, more divided, and more disengaged, as history has shown us.”
The statement set the tone for a meeting where public safety was framed as a shared civic responsibility.
Opening and Agenda
The council convened with all seven members present, marking one of its early meetings in the new council chambers as part of the broader Justice Center campus transition. The transition is intended to centralize county services on a single campus.
The agenda was approved without objection, and council leadership outlined opportunities for public participation throughout the meeting, including comment periods on consent items, resolutions, and a general community forum.
Consent Agenda and Appointments
The council approved its consent agenda with one item removed for separate consideration, advancing a series of appointments to advisory bodies including the Solid Waste Advisory Committee, Transportation Advisory Commission, and Gig Harbor Peninsula Land Use Advisory Commission.
Several appointees addressed the council directly, emphasizing community-level issues such as transportation access for youth in Midland, long-term landfill capacity concerns, and the importance of sustainable land use planning.
Councilmembers highlighted the role these commissions play in connecting residents, particularly in unincorporated areas, to county decision-making, reinforcing how foundational services and infrastructure remain central to broader public safety outcomes.
Korrena Cooper-Poe, Youth Development program manager at Amara, was appointed to the Transportation Advisory Commission. She said transportation remains a barrier for many of the youth and families she serves in Midland and expressed a desire to help identify solutions.
Councilmember Robyn Denson praised Cooper-Poe’s appointment.
“I just want to thank her for stepping up for the Transportation Advisory Commission,” Denson said. “Transportation is a big issue in my rural area, and it is very important for youth to be able to connect with friends, participate in after-school activities, and access employment. That socialization is so important.”
Justice Fund Sales Tax Moves Into Implementation
The council received formal notice from the County Executive transmitting Ordinance O2026-501, the recently approved criminal justice sales tax measure signed into law earlier in March.
The ordinance establishes a one-tenth of one percent sales and use tax dedicated to criminal justice purposes, along with the creation of a Justice and Unified Safety Tax Fund and a performance advisory board.
Although no discussion followed, the transmittal signals a shift from policy adoption to implementation, as the county begins to operationalize new funding for detention, courts, and related public safety infrastructure.
Resolution on Political Violence Dominates Discussion
While much of the agenda moved quickly, Resolution R2026-119 emerged as the central focus of the meeting, setting the tone for a broader conversation about safety, trust, and civic responsibility.
Sponsored by all seven councilmembers, the resolution condemns political violence, honors victims of such acts, and calls on residents to engage in respectful and peaceful civic discourse regardless of political differences.
The discussion carried a notably personal and reflective tone.
Pierce County Auditor Linda Farmer delivered a powerful account of a 2023 incident in which her office received a threatening letter containing white powder, prompting a full emergency response and raising new concerns about the safety of election workers.
“Your resolution nearly brought me to tears, and I’ve been kind of fighting it all day,” Farmer said. “I was immediately transported back to that day, to the terror of the moment, to the question of why anybody would want to hurt us, hurt our staff, and attempt to stop the work of democracy. Thank you for recognizing the courage and dedication of the county’s frontline workers charged with protecting democracy.”
Councilmembers emphasized that political violence, whether through physical threats or intimidation, undermines democratic institutions and erodes public trust. Several members also stressed the importance of maintaining civil discourse, even during strong disagreements, encouraging residents to challenge ideas without targeting individuals.
The measure passed unanimously.
Routine Business Continues Alongside Broader Themes
The council also unanimously passed Ordinance O2026-502, related to the vacation of a portion of 186th Avenue East, reflecting the ongoing administrative and land-use decisions that make up a significant portion of county governance.
While less visible than the resolution condemning political violence, these decisions still play a key role in shaping development and infrastructure in unincorporated Pierce County.
Councilmember Dave Morell spoke in support of the proposal, reflecting on his familiarity with the site and the collaborative process behind the decision.
“I think it was one of the first field trips I went on many years ago to walk this goat trail down to the river,” Morell said. “I could see why the owner would want to preserve this beautiful piece of property, and I really appreciate the fact that both the county and the property owners spent so much time working the details out, because this was not an easy one. I would just ask for a yes vote on this.”
How Earlier Meetings Shaped the Session
The themes of the March 17 meeting were shaped by a series of earlier meetings held on Monday and Tuesday.
A combined Rules and Operations meeting and Monday study session established the procedural framework for the week, including scheduling decisions, grant applications, and coordination around upcoming legislative items.
Tuesday’s study session further refined the council’s agenda, previewing key issues such as Justice Center planning, criminal justice funding coordination, and board appointments, while also surfacing broader regional considerations.
Meanwhile, the Health and Human Services Committee reviewed progress on the Blue Zones Parkland-Spanaway initiative, highlighting efforts to improve long-term community health through walkability, food access, and engagement. The program reflects an upstream approach to public safety focused on prevention.
At the same time, the Community Development and Environment Committee advanced a proposed six-month moratorium on new or expanded detention facilities in unincorporated Pierce County, citing gaps in zoning definitions and the need for clearer policy guidance.
That discussion underscored tensions between land-use planning, federal authority, and community concerns. As one official noted, “our code is silent right now on a number of various detention facilities,” highlighting the need for clearer policy direction.
A Broader Definition of Public Safety
Taken together, the week’s meetings reflect an evolving definition of public safety in Pierce County.
From new funding mechanisms for criminal justice systems to calls for civility in political discourse, the council’s work suggests a dual focus: maintaining physical safety through infrastructure and investment while reinforcing the civic norms necessary for democratic governance.