Originally published Sunday, January 20, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Editorial
More FBI agents for Washington
Additional FBI resources are needed in Washington. Anti-terrorism efforts have reduced the bureau's traditional law-enforcement contingent to an uncomfortably low level.
Additional FBI resources are needed in Washington. Anti-terrorism efforts have reduced the bureau's traditional law-enforcement contingent to an uncomfortably low level.
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray has asked for a roster of where FBI agents are assigned and other information to make the case for hiring additional agents. Murray inserted language into an appropriations bill that instructs the agency to report back within 60 days on work-force allocation and appropriate steps to right-size the force.
Additional funds would not come until 2009, but the senator is purposefully assembling evidence in support of an increase.
We should not be dedicating so many resources to terrorism that bread-and-butter issues — white-collar crime, cybercrime, bank fraud, mail fraud and bank robbery — are left understaffed and underprosecuted.
The senator says Washington is 53 agents short of the number required to match the national average of agents per 100,000 residents.
Local law-enforcement officers across the state complain that already stretched local departments have to fill in on work the FBI used to do.
Murray's call for greater attention to Washington has the sound of a squeaky wheel. Her decision to emphasize staffing should bring several more agents our way.
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
Leonard Pitts Jr. / Syndicated columnist: A tragic clash of cultures

Opening day at Crystal Mountain
Skiers crowded the slopes at Crystal Mountain for one of the resort's earliest openings.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- Homeless man, 46, arrested in Greenwood arsons
- KVI talk radio host off the air as of Thursday
- Steve Kelley | ESPN's Bill Simmons gets us: He hates Clay Bennett, too
- Police investigate videotaped arrest
- Seattle U. Men's Hoops | Big recruit goes from Huskies to Redhawks
- Mariners sign Jack Wilson to 2-year contract
- Razor found in muffin an accident, 'mortified' baker says
- Suspect's family shaken by slaying of police officer
- Mountlake Terrace woman reports razor in muffin
- Man says he will protest city's gun ban by carrying gun into community center
- Police investigate videotaped arrest
633 - Seattle man to pack a pistol into community center to protest mayor's ban
272 - Light rail to airport to begin Dec. 19
178 - KVI talk radio host off the air as of Thursday
143 - Mariners sign Jack Wilson to 2-year contract
139 - OSU game thread
124 - Wright State game thread
97 - Rang says Locker not ready for NFL
85 - NYC trial for 9/11 suspects poses risks
81 - Wilson "really, really excited to be back in Seattle"
80
- Light rail to airport to begin Dec. 19
- Homeless man, 46, arrested in Greenwood arsons
- Ivar's undersea billboards a hoax devised as marketing ploy
- Steve Kelley | ESPN's Bill Simmons gets us: He hates Clay Bennett, too
- Light rail to airport to begin Dec. 19
- KVI talk radio host off the air as of Thursday
- An 802.11n upgrade could make a big difference
- Washington in race for federal education funds
- Police investigate videotaped arrest
- Goodwill's Glitter Sale is Nov. 14-15





