rays Harbor County is grappling with a projected $8.5 million budget shortfall for 2026, a substantial increase from the $3.2 million deficit reported following 2024. In response to this financial crisis, the Board of County Commissioners has requested that the Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office reduce its operating budget by $2.16 million.

However, Sheriff Darrin Wallace has warned that such drastic cuts would severely impair the office’s ability to provide essential public safety services. The Sheriff’s Office has already made significant reductions in recent years, eliminating programs and scaling back operations to focus on core services. These cuts have included the discontinuation of Search and Rescue Operations, the Swift Water Rescue Team, and a reduction in the Traffic Division and the Resident Deputy Program. Additionally, staffing levels have been reduced by three patrol deputies and two corrections deputies since 2021.

These proposed reductions would be catastrophic,” said Sheriff Wallace. “We’ve already streamlined our operations to the point where further cuts will place both our deputies and the public at serious risk.”

What $2.16 Million in Cuts Could Mean for the Community

If implemented, the requested $2.16 million budget reduction would lead to:

• Layoffs of 7 patrol deputies and 2 corrections officers, severely hampering response times and public safety.
• Elimination of the Investigations Division and the Drug Task Force, with deputies reassigned to basic emergency response duties.
• The cessation of 24-hour patrol coverage, leaving vast areas of the county without overnight law enforcement presence.
• A shift to an emergency-only response model, where deputies would only respond to in-progress, life-threatening incidents.
• Minimal or no response to non-emergency calls, including property crimes such as burglaries or thefts.
• Reduced jail capacity, with only individuals charged with serious crimes being booked, which could lead to an increase in crime across the county.

The Reality of Current Staffing and Service Demands

Currently, Grays Harbor County is already operating at reduced staffing levels. On most days, only 4 to 5 patrol deputies are responsible for the entire unincorporated area of the county—covering vast regions such as Moclips, Ocean Shores, Hoquiam, Elma, Oakville, and more. These deputies handle roughly 28,000 calls for service each year, while also providing critical backup to smaller municipal agencies in the region.

At the county jail, 4 to 5 corrections deputies oversee an average of 120 inmates each day, with a minimum of 2 deputies assigned during night shifts.

The Bottom Line: Public Safety at Risk

Sheriff Wallace stressed that further cuts will only make the current situation worse. With already reduced staffing levels and increasing call volumes, additional budget reductions would jeopardize the safety of both deputies and residents across the county. “We need more resources, not less,” Wallace said. “The reality is that these cuts will increase response times, stretch our personnel thin, and put the community at greater risk.”

How You Can Help

Sheriff Wallace is calling on residents of Grays Harbor County to advocate for the full funding of the Sheriff’s Office. “Public safety should be a priority in our community,” he said. “I urge you to reach out to the county commissioners and let them know how important a fully funded Sheriff’s Office is to the safety of our families and neighbors.”

Commissioner Raines has voiced his support for the Sheriff’s Office, opposing further cuts to patrol and corrections deputies. The Sheriff’s Office is asking for continued backing from the community to ensure that essential public safety services remain intact.

For more information or to express your support, contact the Grays Harbor County Board of Commissioners directly.

Contact Grays Harbor County Commissioners:

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Phone: 360-249-3731

Contact Commissioners Directly:

• Georgia Miller (District 1): This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Rick Hole (District 2): This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Vickie Raines (District 3): This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.