The Sunnyside City Council voted 7-0 to CUT POLICE officers on September 22, 2008.

Gang Crime and Shooting violence have increased, putting a strain on the Sunnyside Police Department.  One recent incident, on July 20th, resulted in a Yakima County Sheriff's Deputy being shot, and another injured.  The Daily Sun News reported that 11 agencies responded to assist.  

They were:  "...Benton County Sheriff's Department, Kennewick Police Department, Richland Police Department, Yakima Police Department, Sunnyside Police Department, Toppenish Police Department, Grandview Police Department, Washington State Patrol, Mabton Police Department, Wapato Police Department, and the Zillah Police Department."

At a time when law enforcement agencies up and down the entire Yakima Valley are coming together in unprecedented ways to fight crime, our current City Council voted to CUT POLICE.  Sunnyside Deserves Better Government!

Here are just a few other incidents notable enough to be reported in the Daily Sun News:

"...SHOTS exchanged in in the area of East North Avenue and North 16th Street in Sunnyside... the incident is believed to be GANG related..." published 6/8/2009

"...Sunnyside police were called to the 1100 block of Tacoma Avenue...after receiving a report of SHOTS fired..victim has one GUNSHOT WOUND.." published 5/11/2009

"MURDER suspect arrested...suspected in killing of Eric Vargas on November 10, 2008" published 4/2/2009

"Sunnyside man arrested for alleged role in AM/PM GANG slaying" published 1/23/2009

"GANG SHOOTING results in felony convictions for Sunnyside man...September 5, 2008 incident in Sunnyside that left 16 year-old Juan Ramos dead." published 1/16/2009

All of these incidents occurred either during discussions of police cuts, or after the cuts were made.  The Sunnyside City Council can do much better, starting with getting NEW Council Members!

Sources:
Daily Sun News: "Sunnyside City Council Spars Over Police Cuts"  Published 9/23/2008
Daily Sun News: "Cop Shot" Published 7/21/2009
Daily Sun News various articles published on dates cited above