Sheriff: Low Staffing, Highest Crime

Item: Sheriff battles budget: Watson: ‘We’re the lowest employed with the highest crime rate’ /Alecia Warren, CdA Press

More Info: The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Department budget has more than doubled over the past decade, but the department is still below the state average of officers and facing an uptick in crime. “Compare us to other metropolitan areas, and we’re the lowest employed with the highest crime rate,” said Sheriff Rocky Watson. Much of the extra budget dollars have gone toward shipping out inmates from the overcrowded jail, Watson said.

Question: In terms of budget priorities, where would you place law enforcement?