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K�" Wade, Chief of Pelee ELLENSBURG POLICE December 7, 2021 Board of Kittitas County Commissioners (Sent Electronically) 205 W. P. Ave. Ellensburg, WA 98926 Re: Support of 1/10"' of 1% sales tax increase Commissioners, The Ellensburg Police Department, and first responders throughout Kittitas County, have been dealing with the dramatic increase in mental health related issues, involving people in crisis for several years. Multiple times a day, officers are contacted by individuals in crisis with mental health and or drug addiction disorder issues, in need of assistance. In 2013,the department had 128 calls involving mental health issues in the city. In 2017 that number nearly doubled to 245 calls, and in 2020 the number of calls continued to rapidly increase to 423. A 230%increase since 2013. Our concern is,where will we be in 2Q25 and beyond. The large increase in calls is only half the story. The other half, the most concerning half, is the lack of resources available for those in need of treatment. Is it any wonder that we have such increases when the access to services is so limited and need so great?The problem has grown so large that our ability to impact it with current resources is impossible. The impacts of drugs on our community have grown along with mental health. Not surprising since they often go hand-in-hand. You only need to look at our recent drug related deaths and the growing substance abuse problem to know it is not acceptable and something needs to be done. However, there has been improvements in some services provided to the community, through the community health network, the Kittitas County Corrections Center, Kittitas Valley Hospital, and other public safety and first responder organizations. Many of these new programs were created and maintained using grants money. These funds do not last for long and when the grant money is gone, without additional funding, the programs will disappear too. We've all seen examples on the news, or driving through Seattle or Portland, of what this problem can develop into. We don't want that for our community or our family and friends who suffer from mental health or substance abuse disorder. Phone(509)962.7280 • FAX(509)962-7281 ® 100 North Pearl Street, Ellensburg WA 98926