September 17, 2018 Sandy Robson

Recently, one of the Whatcom County Council members said our County receives Operation Stonegarden grant funding which is the type of grant funding referenced in the Sept. 7, 2018 “Daily Kos” article.

Doing a quick online search, I was able to see that according to a July 2012 Whatcom Watch “Watching Government” report, at a May 2012 County Council meeting, the Council approved (6-0) the following:

“Authorize the executive to accept a $757,963 federal grant to enhance law enforcement along the U.S. border? This is the 4th U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Operation Stonegarden grant for overtime, milage and purchase of equipment. The four grant total is $3,701,358. Also participating are police departments in Blaine, Everson, Ferndale, Lynden and Sumas. The grant runs from 9/1/2011 through 6/30/2014. (AB3012-175) Approved 6-0, Pete Kremen was out of the room.”

Since that approved Operation Stonegarden grant ran through 6/30/14, it appears that there has been additional Stonegarden grant funding received by Whatcom County since that grant contract ended in 2014. I have not been able to find the Council meeting minutes which would reflect a subsequent Stonegarden grant being approved, but there are Council agenda bills online showing appropriations with Operation Stonegarden funds having been made in 2017 and, I believe, in 2018. 

[UPDATED on 9/19/18 at 7:55 AM: 

On Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, I sent an email inquiry with several questions about Operation Stonegarden grants to Whatcom County Undersheriff Jeff Parks. He responded that same afternoon. Below, are two of his responses to two of my questions:

2) When is the end date for the most recent Stonegarden grant that was approved by the County?

Jeff Parks: “Operation Stonegarden FY17 end date is 03/31/20.”

3) When was the most recent application made/submitted for any Stonegarden grant funding for Whatcom County?

Jeff Parks: “Border Patrol submitted Operation Stonegarden FY18 application 06/18/18.”]

Here is a link to the July 2012 Whatcom Watch report: http://www.whatcomwatch.org/php/WW_open.php?id=1448&fbclid=IwAR37MVkbbjX9O8ptD0jeFdb8j7_lxnXPUEIqTxyj-n-TdKf_5kc2Ag5Xh6A

https://m.dailykos.com/stories/2018/9/7/1793966/-Largest-U-S-Border-County-Cancels-Federal-Grant-Requiring-Collaboration-with-Border-Patrol?fbclid=IwAR0uevnugvEBosWensX-i541kddFSzca55emiyVRdQrzVWyLnlIHlU27vZM