The King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) announced Sunday that it will immediately reduce minimum staffing at its North and Southeast precincts serving unincorporated communities, including Redmond Ridge, Fairwood, and Fall City, due to ongoing budget pressures.

KCSO provides police services to the White Center area, which was not included in the closure list.

Officials emphasized that no deputies will lose their jobs, describing the change as a redeployment of resources.

KCSO added that this reduction will not affect policing services provided to contract cities by the Sheriff’s Office.

Under the new staffing model, deputies will respond only to alarms verified by alarm companies or supported by audio/video evidence.

Additionally, 911 dispatchers will direct non-injury, non-blocking collisions—including incidents occurring on private property—to be reported via the Washington State Patrol website. Deputies will still respond to collisions involving crimes, such as impaired driving or hit-and-runs.

Non-emergency 911 calls involving behavioral health crises will be directed to the Sheriff’s Office Therapeutic Response Unit (TRU).

“We are taking these critical steps to ensure King County deputies are safe and available for life-safety emergencies, which will always remain our top priority,” KCSO said in a statement.

Residents can continue reporting lower-priority crimes such as vandalism, mail theft, abandoned vehicles, and lost property through the Sheriff’s Office online portal.