Suburban Seattle taxpayers on the hook amid city's 'defund' police push

A Seattle-area Republican pushing a new "Refund Police" initiative says suburban taxpayers have unfortunately been bearing the brunt of the far-left inner city's failed policies, as his $14.4 million push for the sheriff's office aims to offset measures tying police's hands when it comes to public safety.

"For a long time, the suburban taxpayers have been on the hook for Seattle's failed policies," Dunn told Fox News Digital. "If the city of Seattle, being a large one, won't take its responsibility to protect the public seriously, we have to step in. My ‘Refund the Police’ initiative, will build back a huge number of law enforcement personnel, as well as some specialized units." Police look over the scene of a shooting at 3rd Avenue and Pine Streeton Jan. 22, 2020, in the central business district of Seattle, Washington. (Karen Ducey/Getty Images) FILE - Police responded to a shooting incident in the 200 block of Yesler Way in the Pioneer Square neighborhood. (Seattle Police Department) Seattle Police officers confer after taking part in a public roll call at Hing Hay Park in Seattle's Chinatown-International District Thursday, March 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)

Dunn, who is one of just two Republicans on the King County Council, told Fox News Digital measures included in his proposal, such as $830,000 in funding for four deputies and one staff person on a hate and bias unit, will be a difficult vote for his seven Democratic colleagues to say no to. After winning a fifth term on Election Day two weeks ago, Dunn attributed his victory to voters wising up to the pitfalls of a progressive agenda.