2023 Year in Review: Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office

Your Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) continues to proudly serve the Blaine-Birch Bay community. After several years of staffing shortages, the sheriff’s office is finally nearing full law enforcement staffing. Ten new deputy sheriff positions were gained in the 2023-24 budget and we are working to fill those positions.

Deputy Joel Douglas, a veteran of many years of law enforcement service, is assigned as your new Birch Bay neighborhood deputy. He was introduced to the community at the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce meeting and community events in the bay area. Deputy Douglas is replacing former neighborhood deputy Derek Jones, who was selected for the detective unit.

Following tradition, deputies ushered in the New Year by plunging into Birch Bay during the annual Polar Bear swim. WCSO continued our commitment to public safety with extra patrols during the largest event of the year in the Birch Bay area, the Fourth of July fireworks. As they do each year, members of the Jail Alternatives Work Crew helped clean up the resulting litter. (This year, they collected enough to fill three 30-yard dumpsters.) We joined other first responders for our annual National Night Out on August 1 at Birch Bay State Park. Deputies also were out in force participating in Trick-or-Treat on the Berm. We enjoyed meeting so many of you.

Of course, deterring and responding to crime is our top focus. On October 4, deputies responded to a shooting in the Blaine area; they quickly detained the suspect, who was later arrested and charged with murder.

Having served as the Blaine police chief for over six years and your sheriff for the past 21 years, I am now retiring and my last day was December 31, 2023. I want to thank you and this community for your support of law enforcement over the years and your many kindnesses to me personally. I plan to remain engaged in community volunteer service and hope to see you in the future.