Burien police chief resigns as camping ban remains unenforced
Chief Ted Boe confirmed that he decided to resign. He declined to comment on what contributed to his decision, and said he didn't "want negativity out there." Burien's police chief, Ted Boe, has resigned following a political dispute between city leaders and King County over enforcement of the city's anti-camping ordinance. The city manager, Adolfo Bailon, requested Boe's removal in April after the King County Sheriff’s Office halted its enforcement of Burien's anti camping ban. The King County sheriff has filed a complaint in U.S. District Court to determine the camping ban's constitutionality and whether the Interlocal Agreement requires the Sheriff's Office to enforce it. Burien is suing the county and Sheriff's office for violating the contract by not enforcing the ordinance. Despite this, Boe's resignation will be effective on Aug. 15.
Pubblicato : 3 settimane fa di Lauren Girgis in Politics
Burien’s police chief resigned Tuesday, about two months after the city manager requested his removal amid a prolonged political battle between city leaders and King County over enforcement of the city’s anti-camping ordinance.
Chief Ted Boe on Wednesday confirmed he decided to resign. He declined to comment on what contributed to his decision, and said he didn’t “want negativity out there.” Boe’s resignation will be effective Aug. 15. The news was first reported by The B-Town Blog.
Boe said he is taking an opportunity outside of King County’s employment but declined to say what job until his future employer announces it.
In April, Burien city manager Adolfo Bailon requested Boe’s removal after the King County Sheriff’s Office halted its enforcement of the city’s anti-camping ordinance. Bailon wrote to the sheriff that he could no longer trust Boe “to fulfill the requirements within the Interlocal Agreement,” the contract that governs King County Sheriff’s Office providing police services for Burien. Because Boe is employed by the Sheriff’s Office, it is not within the city’s power to fire him.
Bailon’s efforts to oust Boe led to outrage among Sheriff’s Office employees and some Burien community members. Several Burien police officers threatened to leave the department last month if Boe is removed, and some community members also wrote a letter of no confidence in the mayor and city manager.
“They’re an amazing team of officers in Burien that do their work, professionally, with dedication, and I’m super proud of our team,” Boe said Wednesday morning. “Burien is an amazing community.”
The King County sheriff filed a complaint in U.S. District Court in March to ask a judge to determine the camping ban’s constitutionality and whether the interlocal agreement requires the Sheriff’s Office to enforce it. In the meantime, Burien’s camping ban has gone unenforced. Burien, in turn, sued the county and Sheriff’s Office, claiming the office is violating the contract by not enforcing the ordinance.
The petitions come after a year of turmoil and debate within the small South King County city over what to do about the unsheltered homeless population. The camping ordinance, which creates several barriers to living outside, has incited controversy. The city is also being sued in King County Superior Court by homeless people and the Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.