Lynnwood Council ends 2025 with a bang, now pay more in 2026
LYNNWOOD—At its final 2025 meeting for the year on December 8, attended by over 120 people, Lynnwood City Council swore in Mayor-elect George Hurst and new councilmembers, honored outgoing leaders, then approved (4-3) a 14.7% permit/fee hike and 33% business license increase; unanimously passed 2.7% COLA for city employees; authorized drafting a voter-free 0.1% public […]
Lynnwood City Council defers action on a new 0.1% Public Safety Sales Tax to 2026
LYNNWOOD—The Lynnwood City Council on December 1, unanimously agreed to postpone consideration of a proposed 0.1% public safety sales tax ordinance and remove it from its December 8 agenda to be revisited in early 2026. The council would like to provide Lynnwood Police Chief Cole Langdon enough time to complete a full review of state-mandated […]
Lynnwood proposed property tax hike sparks heated council debate
LYNNWOOD—The Lynnwood City Council continued its conversation on its Budget, which included 2025 mid-biennial budget amendments and a proposed 2026 property tax levy, in addition to municipal code changes, at its Business Meeting held Monday, November 17. Mid-Biennium Budget Review Amendments The first agenda item was to review mid-biennial budget amendments. As required by state […]
Somebody’s watching me: Flock versus red light cameras in Lynnwood
LYNNWOOD—In reaction to several members of the community voicing their concerns that the City of Lynnwood’s Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology may have been accessed for immigration-related queries at its October 24 meeting, the Lynnwood Police Department (LPD) announced last week that it temporarily paused the law enforcement tool known as Flock Safey cameras citing public […]
Lynnwood PD suspends Flock camera system amid concerns over ICE access
LYNNWOOD—The Lynnwood Police Department (LPD) has temporarily paused use of its Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) system, known as Flock Cameras, to address community concerns about data privacy and system access. “Flock cameras have already proven to be an invaluable investigative tool in solving crimes and keeping our community safe,” said Police Chief Cole Langdon. […]
Lynnwood Police Department addresses concerns over ALPR camera data use
LYNNWOOD—The Lynnwood Police Department on Friday, October 24, issued a statement to clarify and “address potential misconceptions” of its use of Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology in response to a recent report by the University of Washington Center for Human Rights. The report titled, “Leaving the Door Wide Open: Flock Surveillance Systems and Immigration […]
Brother of Lynnwood Councilwoman faces theft charge in alleged porch piracy amid conflict-of-interest concerns
LYNNWOOD—In the early hours of August 14, 2025, Joshua De La Cruz, the 37-year-old brother of Lynnwood lawmaker City Councilwoman Derica Escamilla, was arrested on a charge of third-degree theft following an alleged incident involving stolen packages and mail from a residential porch. The case, handled by the Lynnwood Police Department, has raised questions about […]
WSCJTC Arlington Regional Academy holds its first graduation of 27 law enforcement officers
ARLINGTON—Arlington’s Regional Basic Law Enforcement Academy graduated its first class of 27 new law enforcement officers on Tuesday, July 29, since opening its doors back in March. The opening of the training facility is just part of the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission’s (WSCJTC) regional academy model to expand training access and strengthen local […]
Lynnwood’s new CJC has a successful first year with more planned on the horizon
LYNNWOOD—Lynnwood Police Chief Cole Langdon and staff, gave an update on the city’s new Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program at the Community Justice Center (CJC) during a Council Work Session on Wednesday, July 16. “It’s been really incredible seeing this project move along,” said Lynnwood City Council President Nick Coelho. “I’ve spoke to multiple Police […]
ACCESS Project’s Youth and Cops basketball comes to a close, more events planned through summer
LYNNWOOD—The ACCESS Project’s weekly Youth vs Cops basketball character building events came to a close on Tuesday, June 17, but its founder Wally Webster II says similar sporting events are planned through the summer – including volleyball, soccer, and flag football. The ACCESS Project was started in 2022 as a collaborate movement bringing together government […]
