SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. – Election season presents a public safety challenge for law enforcement agencies across the U.S. and in the Inland Northwest. To handle this, policing agencies across the nation will be ramping up patrols on and around Election Day.
A Spokane County election workers faced significant concern last year when several elections offices across the state received envelopes containing trace amounts of fentanyl.
Suspected arsonist attacks recently targeted mailboxes, ballots and ballot drop boxes in Washington, Oregon, and other states, raised alarms about safety during the contentious election period.
In July, the National Policing Institute released a report outlining law enforcement training related to elections. The report included strategies for protecting voting locations and vote-counting facilities, as well as preparing for incidents such as swatting.
In Spokane County, the Sheriff’s Office stated it planned to “monitor and adjust as needed” on and around Election Day, working closely with the elections office. However, officials declined to provide specific details about their security plans.
Vicky Dalton, Spokane County Auditor, emphasized that her office maintained communication with law enforcement and was confident that policing agencies would remain vigilant.
A public information officer with the Spokane Police Department noted that while he was not aware of specific plans for increased patrols, adjustments could be made if necessary.
In Coeur d’Alene, police indicated they planned to increase their presence and remain attentive to polling places, though they emphasized that this was standard procedure for any election week.
