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Snohomish County Sheriff Adam Fortney’s focus is to address the recent crime wave throughout the region, and he wants to fight laws that continuously make it harder for his department.

He’s been public about his disdain for newly implemented laws restricting police pursuits alongside the Washington Supreme Court’s State v. Blake decision, which ruled the felony drug possession law unconstitutional.

“People don’t know,” Fortney said when discussing his residents’ reaction to the laws listed previously. “The first thing I do is pick their jaw off the floor. They can not believe we can’t chase cars in the state of Washington, to a certain extent.”

Law enforcers and lawmakers in Snohomish County released a  calling for Washington legislators to change the police reform laws enacted last year. The five minute video was played at the KTTH Freedom Series event.

Mayors join forces to fight crime in Snohomish County

You can watch his entire 1-on-1 conversation with Jason Rantz through the video below.

In 2020, Fortney announced on social media that his office would not enforce restrictions Gov. Jay Inslee set in place in response to the pandemic.

A recall petition formed, stating Fortney had “endangered the peace and safety of the community and violated his statutory duties.”

The recall movement did not go to a vote as recall supporters did not submit any signatures by the deadline on March 9, 2021.