‘All are welcome,’ Councilwoman pushes immigrant safety in Lynnwood
LYNNWOOD—A proposed resolution before the Lynnwood City Council aims to clarify the city’s stance on federal immigration enforcement and outline steps to better inform residents of their constitutional rights. After concerns from Police Chief Cole Langdon about potential legal liability for officers, Councilwoman Isabel Mata amended the measure to remove language that would have directed […]
Lynnwood terminates Flock Safety cameras due to trust and oversight issues
LYNNWOOD—The Lynnwood City Council voted unanimously on Monday, February 22, to terminate its contract with Flock Safety, scrapping a controversial network of automated license plate recognition cameras that had drawn months of fierce community backlash over privacy invasions and potential misuse for immigration enforcement. The Council’s decision was a swift reversal for a program once […]
Amid Trump crackdown, Lynnwood proposes protections for immigrants from ICE
LYNNWOOD—Amid escalating national outrage over fatal shootings and tactics by ICE in sweeping immigration crackdowns — which has deported over 540,000 people since January 2025 — the Lynnwood City Council debated a resolution on Tuesday, February 17, to shield immigrant residents from federal agents and raids. The Lynnwood police warned of legal risks if they […]
Lynnwood Mayor and Police Chief release joint statement on false allegations of LPD involvement in ICE activity
LYNNWOOD—In a joint message released on Monday, Lynnwood Mayor George Hurst and Police Chief Cole Langdon reaffirmed the city’s commitment to welcoming all community members regardless of origin, amid concerns over ICE activities and recent violence against protesters in Minneapolis. Mayor Hurst and Chief Langdon dispelled rumors about Lynnwood police involvement, and pledged adherence to […]
Lynnwood City Council passes sales tax increase to 10.7%, now highest in Washington state
LYNNWOOD—The council voted 5-1, at its Monday business meeting, to impose a councilmanic 0.1% public safety sales tax increase without voter approval, to fund criminal justice and safety priorities—Council Vice President Derica Escamilla was the lone dissent. Starting April 1, on April Fool’s Day, Lynnwood’s combined sales tax rate will increase to 10.7%—the highest in Washington state. […]
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. […]
