San Juan County Receives $660k Public Safety Grant
SAN JUAN COUNTY, WA – October 14, 2026 – San Juan County has received a $660,000 grant from the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) to increase staffing in the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office. On September 29, CJTC notified the County of its grant award funded by the state’s relatively new Public Safety Funding Program. This grant funding may only be used to supplement regular County funding in support of the Sheriff’s Office and may not be used to supplant ongoing funding.
The program was established in Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2015 which was signed into law last year and provides funding to local governments to hire entry-level law enforcement officers, support crisis intervention training for law enforcement and corrections officers, support enhanced behavioral health responder options, and support community gun violence prevention programs. The grant funds will be used to fully fund two new sheriff deputies through June 30, 2028, including their salaries and benefits. The grant dollars will additionally pay for CJTC Basic Law Enforcement Training which is a mandated training academy for all entry-level peace officers and the purchasing of two new patrol cars.
“The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office is grateful for the state’s investment in local public safety,” said Sheriff Eric Peter. “The two new deputy positions will help us better serve the community by improving our ability to respond compassionately and effectively when our residents need support.”
The law also authorized cities and counties to impose a 0.1% local sales tax for public safety through a majority vote of their legislative bodies up until June 30, 2028. After that date, the tax must be placed on a ballot to the voters. Both funding options require agencies to meet eligibility requirements that include additional training, policy changes, data collection and reporting. The County Council has been briefed on the public safety tax option and has opted to not move forward with implementing the tax at this time.
“San Juan County thanks the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission for this grant award which will allow our Sheriff’s Office to hire two much-needed deputies. At a time when our county is facing significant fiscal challenges, this support makes a real difference in our ability to maintain public safety and respond to the needs of our community,” said Council Chair Justin Paulsen.
Contact: Eric Peter, Sheriff, ericp@sanjuancountywa.gov, 360-370-7621
About San Juan County’s Sheriff’s Office
San Juan County’s Sheriff’s Office is committed to protecting the lives, property, and rights of all residents and visitors, as well as to maintain order and reduce crime through education, prevention, and enforcement of the law. The Sheriff’s Office is located at 96 Second Street, Friday Harbor, WA 98250. For more information about San Juan County’s Sheriff’s Office, visit https://www.sanjuanco.gov/344/Sheriff.
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