Rick Kuss Announces His Criminal Deterrence Umbrella (CDU) Program

By Ryan Engdahl, Staff Writer

Rick Kuss, candidate for Kitsap County Sheriff, has announced a bold new initiative he plans to implement if elected.

"The most effective use of law enforcement officers is in preventing crime, not just arresting criminals," Kuss stated. "The county Sheriff should take the lead in creating a program that makes it extremely difficult to conduct criminal activity within Kitsap County."

Kuss calls his proposal the Criminal Deterrence Umbrella (CDU) — a comprehensive, countywide strategy designed to repel and prevent criminal activity before it starts.

The CDU consists of five core components that work together to build a stronger, safer community:

1. Multi-Agency Coordination — Partnering with city and tribal police departments, the Washington State Patrol, and federal agencies such as the FBI to share resources, align efforts, and maximize the effectiveness of every officer on duty.

2. Elected Official Engagement — Collaborating with county and local officials to champion well-funded, fully staffed police forces and to ensure community safety remains a top priority in every jurisdiction across Kitsap County.

3. Community Relationship Building — Actively engaging with community leaders and residents to foster trust and open communication between citizens and law enforcement. Kuss believes the vast majority of Kitsap County residents support a strong police presence, and that by strengthening those relationships, residents will feel more confident reporting suspicious activity and working alongside officers to keep their neighborhoods safe.

4. Active Patrol Strategy — Replacing static, parked patrols with dynamic car and foot patrols — particularly in high-crime areas and during peak times for criminal activity — to create a visible, responsive law enforcement presence throughout the county.

5. Technology & Data-Driven Policing — Leveraging the latest technologies and modern law enforcement strategies to identify crime patterns and deploy deputies where they can have the greatest impact.

Kuss has indicated he will be discussing the CDU in greater detail at upcoming campaign events. To learn more, visit votedkuss.com.