$7,500.000 Settlement Will Raise Redmond's Liability Insurance 125%.

In a September Council Study session the topic of escalating liability insurance came up. And boy is it up. The premium escalated by112%, attributed to a $7,500,000 settlement to the Churna family for a police homicide. And, the deductible increased from $15,000 to $250,000. According to Finance Director Chip Corder, the City had to switch carriers (CIAA) after 12 years with Travelers. Chip needs to dip into the (bottomless) General Fund for a one-time solution. Thank heavens the City has surplus funding from construction taxes. Chip thinks it could take 2-3 years, maybe longer. to get in good graces with insurance carriers. (Chip Corder is not to be confused with Chip the City AV manager and "storyteller.")

THE BACK STORY: On 11/20/20 Ms. Churna was shot and killed by a Redmond policeman. Ms. Churna did not have a weapon in her hand. Last time I heard, the officer was still on duty with Redmond. Yep, it's hard to believe. If officers were wearing body-worn cameras would it have lessened the Department's insurance liability? Probably. Council budgeted 5-year funding of the body-warn camera program in case the Levy failed. Funding for five years costs just under $5 million.

When you vote, read the fine print and you'll see cameras are in the measure even though they've been bought and paid for. If this lack of transparency bothers you consider voting "No." I'm still undecided but for another reason. I think body-worn and in-car cameras are an invasion of my privacy.

Police and Fire Safety Levy

Factoids: Police Chief Lowe instituted a catalytic converter ID program for several weeks. He also ticketed noisy vehicles. "Smash and Dash" is still one of major crimes in Redmond. Life Is Good.-- Bob Yoder, 10/27/2022 Redmond Neighborhood Blog