Photo highlights – 2019

2019

Dunn Champions $100k for Homeless Bus Ticket Program

2019  |  In recent supplemental budget negotiations, I secured an additional $100,000 in funding to provide bus tickets to homeless persons who want to return home to family members. Family reunification services have had great success across the country in helping get homeless persons off our streets and into permanent housing. However, such services have long been underfunded and under-advertised in King County.

According to King County’s 2019 Count Us In survey, there is a substantial need for family reunification services amongst our homeless population. That’s why this new funding is an important step toward effectively addressing homelessness in our region.

Though I’m pleased to have secured this funding, there is more work to be done. King County still invests much less in family reunification services compared to other metropolitan areas. Establishing a dedicated family reunification program remains a top priority for me in the months ahead.

Enumclaw Senior Center Receives Major King County Grant

2019  |  I am thrilled that the Enumclaw Senior Center was awarded a major grant to expand their important work in the Enumclaw Plateau area. In rural areas of King County, service organizations such as the Senior Center are absolutely crucial to the well-being of the community. I will continue to advocate for more County partnerships with exemplary community organizations that serve District 9.

Dunn Recognizes September as National Recovery Month in King County

2019  |  I was joined by Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles and the rest of the County Councilmembers in recognizing September 2019 as National Recovery Month in King County. National Recovery Month is a time to spread the message that it is always possible to reclaim your life from addiction and mental illness. Each year, I formally recognize National Recovery Month because I believe it’s important that anyone who seeks recovery knows that they are not alone and that there are services available to help them succeed.

Dunn Presents Retired Metro Van to Renton School for Students with Learning Disabilities

2019  |  I recently delivered a King County Metro Van to New Horizon School, which provides specialized education and training programs to students with learning disabilities. This donated van will allow New Horizon students to access learning opportunities outside the classroom. I’m glad to be able to support an organization where students, regardless of needs, abilities or differences, can reach their full potential.

Construction of the Lower Russell Levee Setback Breaks Ground

2019  |  As Chair of the King County Flood Control District, I’ve been leading on the Lower Russell Road Levee Setback project since its inception in 2013. This project provides flood protection for homes and businesses in the Kent Valley while also restoring habitat along the Green River, safeguarding both our region’s economy and salmon population. Construction is now underway!

2019 King County Fair

2019  |  This year’s King County Fair was the best yet! After I helped Enumclaw Mayor Jan Molinaro welcome attendees, I was able to take my first ever ride on a Texas Longhorn steer aside Councilmember Kael Johnson. I am proud to have been a partner in the revitalization of the King County Fair, and I am pleased that it continues to get bigger and better each year!

Dunn Co-Hosts Unincorporated Town Halls

2019  |  I recently finished my annual round of community town hall meetings, which I co-host with the King County Department of Local Services. We held meetings in Fairwood, the Enumclaw Plateau, East Renton Highlands, and the Greater Maple Valley area. These town halls are crucial to help residents access services and speak directly to county staff and elected officials. Thank you to the many people who came to make their voices heard! If you have questions or concerns I encourage you to reach out to my office, regardless of whether you were able to make it to the town hall. My office can be reached at 206-477-1009 or at Reagan.Dunn@kingcounty.gov.

Join Councilmember Reagan Dunn and King County Parks for their 2019 Big Backyard Movie nights!

2019  |  Our two movie nights at Ravensdale Park and Coalfield Park were great successes! We screened Shrek and Up and had great nights of family-friendly fun! We hope you can join us for the final movie night of the summer on Saturday, August 24 at Petrovitsky Park. We’re showing Night at the Museum! Seating opens at 6:30pm and the movie starts at dusk (around 8:15pm). The address for Petrovitsky Park is 16400 SE Petrovitsky Rd, Renton, WA 980588.

Dunn Honors Fallen Law Enforcement Officers

2019  |  May 15th is National Peace Officers’ Memorial Day, and is a time for us all to reflect on the law enforcement officers who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. We gratefully thank the officers who continue to put their lives on the line every day. I joined my colleague Kathy Lambert, Kent Police Department Commander Mike O'Reilly and King County Sheriff’s Office Chief Patti Cole-Tindall to proclaim May 12-18 as Police Week in King County. We memorialized the two officers recently lost in Kent: Detective Derrick Focht who we lost to a heart attack in 2017, and Officer Diego Moreno, who was tragically struck and killed by a car during a vehicle pursuit of an armed suspect following a shooting in Kent last year. With many more men and women continue to risk their lives on our behalf every day, may we remember our fallen officers for their lives of service for the good of others.

Unified Campaign to Combat Human Trafficking Launched in King County

From the left: Assistant Chief Steve Hirjak, Seattle PD; Shelly Parker, Alaska Airlines; Councilmember Reagan Dunn, King County; Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht, King County; Tony Gonchar; Delta Airlines; Commissioner Courtney Gregoire, Port of Seattle

2019  |  Recently, I joined with leaders from the Puget Sound region to announce our joint regional campaign to promote awareness of the tragic issue of human trafficking. Though it is a crime that often goes unseen, human trafficking for labor or sex is a horrifying assault on human dignity and liberty—and sadly, it happens here at home in King County.

As a former federal prosecutor, I’ve seen firsthand the devastation that sex crimes wreak on the lives around us. That’s why I’ve made it a priority to educate the public about they can do to help, and to encourage victims to find the help they need. In 2013, I sponsored one of the first local campaigns to raise awareness of this issue, and we successfully increased calls to the National Human Trafficking Hotline by 63%. Today’s announcement continues our progress.

This new campaign is a partnership between King County, the Port of Seattle, the City of Seattle, Sound Transit, and private sector partners including Alaska Airlines and Delta Airlines. Other participating partners include King County cities, Expedia, Uber, and the Snohomish County Lodging Association.

Keep an eye out for these informational signs, which we are placing in highly visible places throughout the region:

Remember—if you see something that doesn’t look right, it only takes a simple phone call to the National Human Trafficking Hotline report it. The number is 1-888-373-7888, or text HELP or INFO to 233733.