Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe Community Safety and Justice

The Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe’s (PGST) primary goal, to enhance justice programing and services, requires physical changes in our public safety, natural resource enforcement and court environment. As part of our larger comprehensive strategy on justice needs and public safety, we recognize that justice facilities have an opportunity and a responsibility to be a key part of the communities they serve. PGST recognizes that our current police department building fails in this regard, as it is physically and programmatically disconnected from public life and was unable to adapt to operate under COVID precautions. Citizens don’t visit police departments or courthouses unless compelled to do so, and these spaces rarely serve as public destinations. Our police buildings and courthouse have historically shared a building and we seek to better protect and connect the public with building that provides increased access to justice while protecting our citizens and staff from COVID. The Tribe’s justice system provides a first line of defense for community well-being and safety, and funding in this area is of prime importance. The Tribe requires a dedicated and reliable space to administer its varied justice programming and accompanying court services.