Bellingham security patrols add ‘eyes on the street’ in advance of new programs
Both Bellingham and Whatcom County are using private security patrols downtown amid a shortage of police officers and a rise in vandalism, litter and behavioral issues in the city center.
As part of an effort to help commerce return to pre-pandemic levels, the city and a business organization are starting a Downtown Ambassadors program in spring and have hired a private security firm in the interim.
Security patrols and the ambassadors will be unarmed, vaccinated against COVID-19 and trained in de-escalation techniques, said Darby Cowles, senior planner in the Bellingham Department of Planning and Community Development.
“It’s a non-emergent response that can be quick and nimble and have eyes on the street,” Cowles told The Bellingham Herald.
But more than that, Cowles said the security patrols — and the Downtown Ambassadors, when that program starts in May — will focus on building rapport with business owners and their employees, along with visitors and tourists.
They’ll be patrolling downtown on foot, on bicycles and in cars, and they’ll also be available to give directions and provide other information, Cowles said.
“It’s really based so much on relationships and getting to know people,” she said. “They’re unarmed, hands-off. They’re really focused on relationships and de-escalation.”
Cost and scope
Cost for the security contract with Risk Solutions Unlimited is $76,000 through the end of April, and paid through the city’s general fund, said city spokeswoman Janice Keller.
When it starts, the two-year trial Downtown Ambassadors program will be administered through the Downtown Bellingham Partnership and cost $300,000 a year, funded with federal pandemic-relief money through the American Rescue Plan Act.
“We wanted to acknowledge concerns business and property owners shared about downtown’s safety and cleanliness,” said Jenny Hagemann, spokeswoman for Downtown Bellingham.
“We’re hoping the business community and the general public will see the ambassadors and feel like there are visible resources to support safety and vibrancy downtown,” Hagemann told The Herald.
Downtown Bellingham hosts special events, such as the monthly Art Walk and the summertime Downtown Sounds outdoor music festival, and also helps with beautification projects.
Not replacing police
Mayor Seth Fleetwood first described the security patrols and the ambassadors program at a City Council meeting Monday, Jan. 24.
In an interview, Fleetwood said that the security patrols and the ambassadors are meant to complement the police, not replace them, and they aren’t a solution to the staffing shortages that have eliminated the Police Department’s bicycle and foot patrols, its anti-crime and drug units, and its behavioral-health officers.
“The long-term plan of course is getting back to full staffing with police,” Fleetwood told The Herald. “We’re trying to help folks downtown at a difficult time.”
Risk Solutions Unlimited’s security patrols are a temporary “bridge” until the Downtown Ambassadors program is ready to start, he said.
In addition, the city is developing an unarmed response program to help with behavioral or social issues that don’t require armed police or immediate fire/EMS response.
Security patrols and the ambassadors won’t carry firearms, won’t detain people and won’t use physical force, he said.
They will help people find social services and shelter if they need it, and work closely with the Homeless Outreach Team, and the GRACE and Community Paramedic programs, he said.
“Over time, we’ll be staffing up with police (and) we have policy direction to work on an unarmed response for people who don’t require intervention. We’re getting through a challenging time downtown,” Fleetwood said.
County patrols
Meanwhile, Whatcom County has had a contract with Pacific Security since 2016 to patrol several sites it owns downtown, said Rob Nye, project and operations manager for Whatcom County Facilities Management.
“This is a deterrent action to mitigate potential vandalism. I do believe it helps minimize vandalism to our facilities,” Nye said.
Whatcom County facilities include the Courthouse and Jail, Civic Center, Public Defender’s office, Health Department offices, the Northwest Annex, Forest Street, Central Shop, Champion Street parking lot, and 600 Dupont St.
“These patrols are for three random checks each night, 365 days a year,” Nye told The Herald in an email.
Cost is about $3,150 a month, he said.
