(Airdate: September 19, 2023) Maryanne interviews Port Townsend Police Chief Thomas Olson. This is the Chief’s second year on the job and basically his first non-pandemic summer. Crowds of tourists and locals jammed our summertime events. But despite the numbers, everyone was basically well-behaved. Chief Olson views his officers as community partners. He’s a firm believer in using a “navigator” – a mental health professional – on calls involving someone in crisis. Crime and drugs are a problem here too, but perhaps not on the scale as many other cities. In the aftermath of the death of George Floyd (and others), police departments everywhere are rethinking their role. Olson is determined that somehow the Port Townsend police team will embrace successful strategies that are both non-violent and progressive.
