#hdcblueride: Lawmakers to join Law Enforcement on the front lines this weekend

It was an emotional week in the Legislature as we honored the law enforcement officers lost in the line of duty this past year. As the families and colleagues of the slain officers bore witness, lawmakers passed new measures in order to protect them and their families, as well as increase public safety.

In order to show their gratitude another way, several House Democrats will participate in ride-alongs with their local law enforcement and State Patrol this weekend.

Ride-alongs are one of the best ways to fully grasp what those on the frontline of our security deal with day in and day out. Those participating will see the best - and sometimes the worst - of humanity on display. They’ll see and confront firsthand for a few hours what the people behind the badge see and confront 24-7.

Those joining their local law enforcement are:

• Rep. Jim Moeller: Vancouver PD – Saturday, 9am to Noon
• Rep. Marko Liias: WA State Patrol – Saturday, 6pm-10pm
• Rep. John McCoy: Snohomish Co.Sheriff Dept.– Friday, 6pm-8pm (Legislative action permitting)
• Rep. Jeff Morris: Skagit Co. Sheriff Dept. – Saturday, 9am to Noon
  

Here’s Jim Moeller on the impetus behind the idea:

“We talk very often in the Legislature about the importance of public safety. I want to acquire a concrete feeling for what life is like for the people who are willing to put their lives on the line for me every day. Some of us were talking the other morning about the specific, real-world ways that the budget crisis is manifesting itself in the lives of every single citizen. Public safety came up as a very good, and certainly a very concrete example of the money we invest in public programs and services."

Moeller and the other legislators will post regular updates from their ride-alongs. Follow along as the legislators provide updates from their beats via Twitter with the hashtags: #hdcblueride and #waleg