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Statement For · Committee for Safe Youth, Strong Oversight
statement likely AI Committee: Justin Leighton, Rick Talbert, Hunter George
Every child in Pierce County’s custody deserves to be safe, treated with dignity, and protected from abuse. Amendment 58 establishes an independent Juvenile Detention Advocate to investigate complaints, review records, issue public reports, recommend improvements, and require an independent audit or accreditation review at least every five years.
Recent events, outlined by The News Tribune’s investigations, have shown that failures in oversight can cause lasting harm to vulnerable youth, undermine public confidence, and create significant costs for taxpayers. While we cannot change the past, we can strengthen the systems that protect children and improve accountability moving forward.
Independent oversight, transparent reporting, and regular outside reviews are recognized best practices that identify problems early, support dedicated staff, strengthen public trust, and encourage continuous improvement.
Amendment 58 makes these safeguards a permanent part of the County Charter, ensuring they remain in place regardless of future leadership. Vote to Approve Amendment 58.
Rebuttal of argument against
Oversight and accountability aren’t “government expansion”; they’re an essential function of government, and without them, there is no trust. Amendment 58 isn’t about creating bureaucracy; it’s about protecting kids in custody. Judges should make detention decisions, and no one is proposing otherwise. A new facility won’t prevent abuse, investigate complaints, or provide accountability. Amendment 58 does. We can build a better facility and demand better oversight. Taxpayers deserve both, and vulnerable kids deserve nothing less.
Statement Against · No on New Charter Section 9.70 Juvenile Detention Oversight and Audit
statement likely AI Committee: Brenda Milewski
Avoid Unnecessary Government Expansion
This proposal creates an additional layer of government that is unnecessary. Adding another office and new administrative requirements will increase costs that taxpayers must ultimately bear.
Protect Recent Progress
Pierce County Juvenile Detention has made significant improvements over the past decade. The facility has strengthened operations, improved relationships with parents and families, increased transparency, and today serves a very small detention population. The greatest need: investment in a modern facility.
Preserve Judicial Independence
More importantly, this proposal blurs the constitutional separation between the judicial and executive branches. While judges retain detention decisions, creating a new office opens the door to greater executive influence over a function that has traditionally remained under the independent authority of the courts.
Focus On Facility Replacement
Pierce County should continue supporting those improvements, preserve judicial independence, avoid unnecessary government expansion, and focus taxpayer resources on the community’s most pressing need.
Rebuttal of argument for
Amendment 58 duplicates accountability measures and reforms in Pierce County Juvenile Court. Families have a voice through the Family Council, parents have direct access to detention supervisors, youth receive mental-health assessments, and community partners help review programs and results. Current reforms are strengthening safety, care, and accountability. Creating another permanent office in the County does not guarantee safer youth, better care, stronger accountability, or responsible use of taxpayer dollars. Vote No on Amendment 58.