July 25, 2007

Rep. Priest to host public safety forum in Federal Way July 30

Educating the public and receiving input on public safety issues such as the monitoring and release of sex offenders, will be the topic of a public safety forum Monday, July 30.

Rep. Skip Priest will host the forum in his home town of Federal Way at 6:00 p.m. at Federal Way City Hall located at 33325 8th Avenue South. Informational speakers will include Federal Way Chief of Police Brian Wilson and local Ukrainian advocate Anatoly Kalchik. Also invited are representatives from the State Attorney General’s office and the federal immigration office.

“Citizens in our local communities are reeling from recent events. They have expressed to me that they want information and answers to better protect their families. That’s the purpose of this,” said Priest, R-Federal Way. “Experts will provide useful information and listen to the public’s concerns as well as their solutions to keeping our neighborhoods safe.”

Priest added that the public forum will not be a format for elected leaders to tell the public what needs to be done, but rather to allow those involved in the criminal justice system to share their expertise and allow citizens to share their expectations of public safety.

“I’m looking for commonsense solutions to take back to Olympia that come straight from the people I serve,” said Priest. “Most important, I want to share information that will help keep kids and families safe.”

The public is welcome to attend without an RSVP. Citizens who can’t make it to the forum are welcome to send an email, letter or call Rep. Skip Priest with their thoughts. Contact information can be located at www.houserepublicans.wa.gov/Priest.

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For more information, contact: Bobbi Cussins, Public Information Officer: (360) 786-7252