Image: King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci speaks at a press conference Thursday, Aug. 21 in Kent about starting up a new retail crime task force as former King County Sheriff Sue Rahr, center, and Kent Mayor Dana Ralph look on. STEVE HUNTER, Kent Reporter
King County Councilmember and County Executive candidate Claudia Balducci has announced a proposal to direct a portion of the recently approved 0.1 cent countywide sales tax increase toward addressing retail crime. The plan would dedicate about $600,000 annually to fund two detectives in the King County Sheriff’s Office and one prosecuting attorney.
Balducci outlined the measure alongside former Sheriff Sue Rahr and Kent Mayor Dana Ralph, who noted that organized retail theft has affected both large retailers and small businesses. The funding would help restore a prosecuting attorney position that was previously eliminated when grant support expired.
Supporters of the proposal emphasized the impact retail theft has on grocery and neighborhood stores, pointing to recent closures in the region. Balducci described the measure as a way to improve safety for customers, workers, and local communities.
Her opponent in the County Executive race, Councilmember Girmay Zahilay, also acknowledged retail theft as a serious concern but cautioned against earmarking specific sales tax revenues before broader consultation with law enforcement, prosecutors, retailers, and community members.
The King County Council is expected to review how best to allocate the new public safety sales tax revenue in the months ahead.
