While campaigning in 2022 for Thurston County sheriff, Derek Sanders promised he’d provide public transparency if elected. Nearly two years into the job, Sanders is set to host his second annual town hall series across Thurston County.
The sheriff will begin his town hall series with an event at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 2, at the Yelm Community Center, 301 Second St. SE. He said people who attend the five town hall events should expect updates on local law enforcement initiatives, an open question-and-answer session with him and information about how residents can become involved in keeping Thurston County safe.
Sanders told the Nisqually Valley News that he anticipates audience questions will center around Thurston County Sheriff’s Office staffing issues, the agency’s hiring practices, updates on pursuits within Thurston County, and how the new public safety tax is being put to use.
“Social media isn’t everything. Especially post-COVID in a virtual world, I think it’s important as elected officials that we still come together in person to discuss their respective offices,” Sanders said on Sept. 23. “I think [the town hall events] have been a pretty big hit so far, so there’s a good chance you can expect to see these continue annually in the fall. It’s also a time where people are politically active and engaged due to elections, so it’s just a good fit in general.”
Sanders added that the agency chose the town hall locations in places that made sense geographically and noted that hosting five town halls “seemed like an appropriate number of events” and that TCSO wanted to space the events out so “everyone has an opportunity to attend one.”
Sanders, who began his service as an elected official on Jan. 3, 2023, hosted his first town hall event as Thurston County’s elected sheriff on Oct. 4, 2023, in the Yelm Community Center. He answered questions related to various topics, including plans to boost staffing, information about the then-proposed public safety tax, fentanyl issues throughout the county, the department’s pursuit policy and more.
Town hall schedule
Yelm
6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2, Yelm Community Center, 301 Second St. SE
Rochester
6 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 9, Swede Hall, 18543 Albany St. NW
Olympia
6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 16, Griffin School, 6530 33rd Ave. NW
Tenino
6 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 23, Kodiak Room, 225 Sussex Ave. W.
Lacey
6 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 30, The Hub, 676 Woodland Square Loop SE
“Bring your questions, bring your neighbors, and let’s work together to keep Thurston County a safe and thriving place for everyone,” TCSO wrote on Facebook about the town hall events.
