HomeMy WebLinkAbout010625 Port Townsend Police Department Partnering with Bluebridge Alliance
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
Tuesday, January 6, 2025 Thomas Olson, Chief of Police
tolson@cityofpt.us, (360) 390-4048
PORT TOWNSEND POLICE DEPARTMENT PARTNERING WITH BLUEBRIDGE ALLIANCE
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PORT TOWNSEND The City of Port Townsend Police Department announces its partnership with
BlueBridge Alliance to implement a local BlueBridge program aimed at enhancing community outreach
efforts. BlueBridge enables officers to provide immediate, short-term relief to community members in
distress. This assistance may include food, clothing, fuel, shelter, transportation, or help with affording
necessary medication.
Police officers who are often called to interact with people in distress and on patrols are noticing critical
needs throughout our community. Interactions where officers can offer direct assistance to critical
needs create opportunities to reach those at risk of criminal behavior, as well as those who are victims
of crime, experiencing homelessness, or experiencing mental health crises. Partnership with BlueBridge
Alliance offers additional options to traditional law enforcement, helping to build trust between officers
and the community, reduce crime stemming from distress, and potentially preventing an individual from
entering the justice system.
Since its inception, the program has provided interim relief to thousands of individuals and families
nationwide and is being used by many regional police departments, including many in Washington State.
By providing officers with the resources to help community members in need, the program strengthens
the essential relationship between the community and law enforcement. When law enforcement
officers are partners in addressing the challenges faced by community members, it leads to improved
communication and enhanced public safety.
BlueBridge provides an excellent opportunity for our Police Department to work directly with the
community by bringing our values front and center. Our officers are dedicated to serving with
compassion and this gives them one more tool as they engage with people in crisis at all hours of the
day and night, said Chief of Police, Thomas Olson.
Through BlueBridge, the Port Townsend Police Department seeks to:
Provide immediate short-term assistance to those in critical need.
Improve public relationships with local law enforcement, where compassion is a core value.
Have a positive impact on officer morale.
Continue to strive for reducing crime and fear of crime.
The local BlueBridge program is made possible by donations from residents, businesses, churches, and
civic organizations. These donations can be monetary or in-kind contributions of goods and services, and
100% of BlueBridge funds are utilized through the program to help those in need. To date the Port
Townsend Police Department has raised $6,500 for the program, including a $2,500 match from
BlueBridge Alliance.
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Community Engagement page, where community members can support
the program: https://cityofpt.us/police/page/community-engagement
To learn more about BlueBridge Alliance, visit: https://bluebridgealliance.org