PRESS RELEASE - Port Townsend Police Department Partners with Bluebridge Alliance

The BlueBridge program enhances Police Department outreach by providing resources to community members in critical need.

January 6, 2026 PORT TOWNSEND – The City of Port Townsend’s Police Department announces its partnership with BlueBridge Alliance to implement a local BlueBridge program aimed at enhancing community outreach efforts. BlueBridge enables officers to provide immediate, short-term relief to community members in distress. This assistance may include food, clothing, fuel, shelter, transportation, or help with affording necessary medication.

Police officers who are often called to interact with people in distress and on patrols are noticing critical needs throughout our community. Interactions where officers can offer direct assistance to critical needs create opportunities to reach those at risk of criminal behavior, as well as those who are victims of crime, experiencing homelessness, or experiencing mental health crises. Partnership with BlueBridge Alliance offers additional options to traditional law enforcement, helping to build trust between officers and the community, reduce crime stemming from distress, and potentially preventing an individual from entering the justice system.

Since its inception, the program has provided interim relief to thousands of individuals and familiesnationwide and is being used by many regional police departments, including many in Washington State. By providing officers with the resources to help community members in need, the program strengthens the essential relationship between the community and law enforcement. When law enforcement officers are partners in addressing the challenges faced by community members, it leads to improved communication and enhanced public safety.

“BlueBridge provides an excellent opportunity for our Police Department to work directly with the community by bringing our values front and center. Our officers are dedicated to serving with compassion and this gives them one more tool as they engage with people in crisis at all hours of the day and night,” said Chief of Police, Thomas Olson.

Through BlueBridge, the Port Townsend Police Department seeks to:

• Provide immediate short-term assistance to those in critical need.
• Improve public relationships with local law enforcement, where compassion is a core value.
• Have a positive impact on officer morale. 
• Continue to strive for reducing crime and fear of crime.

The local BlueBridge program is made possible by donations from residents, businesses, churches, and civic organizations. These donations can be monetary or in-kind contributions of goods and services, and 100% of BlueBridge funds are utilized through the program to help those in need. To date the Port Townsend Police Department has raised $6,500 for the program, including a $2,500 match from BlueBridge Alliance. 

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Access the Police Department’s Community Engagement page, where community members can support the program: https://cityofpt.us/police/page/community-engagement

To learn more about BlueBridge Alliance, visit: https://bluebridgealliance.org/