Sheriff urges King County deputies to be armed and ready at all times

In wake of the recent attacks in Paris, King County Sheriff John Urquhart sent an email to all of his deputies today asking them to carry their weapons while off duty.

“Of course we should all stay vigilant and ‘if you see something say something,’ but after Paris, that doesn’t seem enough,” said Sheriff John Urquhart. “While off duty I am asking all commissioned personnel to always carry their sidearm, with extra magazines.”

In the email Sheriff Urquhart also told his deputies that the FBI has not received any specific, credible information of any imminent attacks to this country.

“I believe the bigger threat to the greater Seattle area is a home-grown terrorist who decides to act unilaterally in support of ISIL,” Urquhart said.  

Sheriff Urquhart ended the email to his deputies saying, “Now is the time! With all that is going on in the world, it is more important than ever to have the means to protect your family, the public, and yourself.”

This applies to Shoreline police and Kenmore police as these are contract departments with King County. Lake Forest Park has its own police department.