This year was marked by progress and dedication to our community. Deputy Joel Douglas continues to serve as your Birch Bay neighborhood deputy, developing relationships, listening to your concerns and working to improve public safety. At times, you might see deputy Douglas riding around Birch Bay on an e-bike, made possible by a generous donation from the Blackburn family through the Whatcom Community Foundation.
Overall, Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) highlights of 2025 include our second 40-hour crisis intervention certification training course for over 30 first responders, facilitated by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission. This training equips our teams with critical skills to serve our community members in crisis.
Mental wellness of our staff is a priority. In 2025, we established a peer support team, a crucial confidential resource for staff members, offering emotional support and practical help. This team has been fully trained per the Revised Code of Washington.
We’re looking forward to continuing our work with the Whatcom County Executive’s Office on the new jail facility, a vital investment in our community’s safety.
In case you haven’t heard, for the first time in nearly a century, the sheriff’s office will have a dedicated, safe and appropriate work space to serve the community. We’re excited to soon call 4600 Ryzex Way in the Cordata neighborhood home, pending final details. Stay tuned for updates on this exciting transition!
Our Whatcom Regional Drug Task Force remains committed to keeping illicit drugs off our streets, investigating and arresting those responsible.
Despite funding challenges, we’re committed to recruiting top talent to join our team, ensuring Whatcom County remains a safe place to live and work. If you’re passionate about public safety, we’d love to hear from you. We are truly excited to welcome new team members who have joined us in 2025.
As we wrap up 2025, we’re grateful for the trust you’ve placed in us to keep Whatcom County safe. As the year comes to a close, we wish you and yours a joyous holiday season! We’re proud to serve this incredible community and can’t wait to continue serving with dedication in 2026. Here’s to a safe, happy, and healthy new year!
