Why cities in north and east King County, including Seattle, need a municipal jail The cities will lose all their municipal jail beds at King County when their contract ends in less than five years because the County will not have room in its existing jail facilities to house city misdemeanor inmates. The County has told cities they should be planning a replacement facility.
Police officers need a facility in King County where they can book people into jail Even if cities continue to contract with Yakima for some of their jail bed needs, police officers need to book locally and get back out on the streets. Driving five hours round-trip to Yakima every time an officer needs to book someone in jail takes officers off the streets for too long.