The following is a release from King County:

King County United for Safety, led by Co-chairs King County Sheriff John Urquhart and Kathleen O’Toole announced the campaign to approve Proposition 1 on the upcoming April 28 special election. The Public Safety Emergency Radio Network Replacement Project campaign kicks off with an unprecedented show of support among local police and fire chiefs, firefighters and emergency first responders.

Prop. 1 would allow King County to update the dangerously outdated emergency communications system essential for effective police, fire, Medic One, and other emergency first responders. The current emergency radio network was constructed in 1992, has dangerous gaps in coverage in populated areas, and was designed to serve a much smaller area. Public safety officials warn that the outdated system puts the public and first responders at risk.

“The improved network supported by a vote to approve Prop. 1 will provide the essential equipment our first responders need to communicate during life-threatening emergencies throughout the County,” Urquhart said. “Without these essential network improvements, public safety will remain at risk.”

The proposed ordinance would allow King County to levy an additional 7 cent per $1,000 of assessed home value. If approved, it will cost the average homeowner in King County just over $2 per month to fund this network – a nominal fee for the added safety and security it will provide to all King County residents.

“Our communities are safer when our emergency personnel have reliable tools,” O’Toole said. “The emergency radio network is used daily. It is a critical tool that is used by fire, police, Medic One and EMS to do their jobs on every call, every day. It is essential that we support Prop. 1.”

The campaign has picked up key endorsements from throughout King County, including local police and fire chiefs, firefighters, and first responders, as well as King County Executive Dow Constantine, Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, and other Mayors in King County: Nancy Backus, Auburn; Fred Butler,Issaquah; Suzette Cooke, Kent; and John Marchione, Redmond.

The King County Council passed Ordinance 17993 on March 2 putting Prop. 1 and the essential emergency radio network improvements on the April 28 Special Election ballot. For more information, visit www.yesonpublicsafety.org.