The League of Women Voters of Kitsap would like to thank all who attended our March 9 public meeting on “Law Enforcement in the 21st Century.” We had a standing-room-only crowd of more than 90 people on a cold and rainy night in Poulsbo.

We especially want to thank our speakers: Kitsap County Sheriff Gary Simpson, Bremerton Police Capt. Tom Wolfe, Bainbridge Island Police Chief Matt Hamner, Poulsbo Police Chief Dan Schoonmaker, Suquamish Tribe Police Chief Mike Lasnier and Port Orchard Police Chief Geoffrey Marti. They all said that Kitsap County is a generally safe place to live but that it faces many ills found in modern society, including drug addiction, domestic violence and mental illness. Those in attendance were impressed by the sensitivity our local law enforcement leaders showed toward people in crisis in our community.

Our next public meeting will be on “Homelessness: Challenges in Kitsap.” It’s scheduled from noon to 2 p.m. April 22 at Poulsbo City Hall, 200 Moe St. NE. Please plan to attend and bring your questions for our speakers: Monica Bernhard, director of housing and community support services for Kitsap Community Resources; Kirsten Jewell, program coordinator of housing and homeless services for Kitsap County; David O. Frederick, executive director of Coffee Oasis; and Renee Kimball-Rouse, who will discuss her experiences with homelessness.

Ann Strosnider

Publicity chair

League of Women Voters of Kitsap