SEQUIM — Chances that downtown Port Angeles will have its own police officer on the beat got a $30,000 boost from Clallam Transit System commissioners Monday.
Commissioners meeting in the Sequim Transit Center voted 5-1 to allot $10,000 in each of three years to supplement the officer’s salary.
Commissioner Pat Mansfield cast the lone dissenting vote, questioning why Port Angeles should receive such help when Forks and Sequim did not.
“It’s needed in every area,” Mansfield said.
But Commissar Mike Chapman countered that the transit board would consider proposals from Clallam County’s two other cities.
Port Angeles Police Chief Tom Riepe said the city could pay half the downtown resource officer’s salary and benefits — about $40,000 — for the first three years of the program.
After that, the city could assume the position’s full cost.
Riepe said other contributions have been sought from the Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce, which pledged $5,000 per year, the Downtown Association, Port Angeles Business Association and the Red Lion Hotel.
The Port of Port Angeles will consider contributing at its July 25 meeting, Riepe said.
The Port Angeles Downtown Association is slated to consider giving $5,000 annually at its Aug. 8 meeting.
