205 W 5th Ave Ellensburg, WA 98926-2887
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Kittitas (pronounced 'KITT-i-tass') County is located in central Washington State. It spans from the lush forested Cascade Mountains to the upper Yakima River Valley plains and the Columbia River.
Kittitas County, WA - 01/23/2026 - WHAT WE HEARD FROM THE PUBLIC: 2026 PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS SURVEY. At the start of this year, the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office invited the public to share feedback on how we communicate about public safety, emergencies, and our work in the community. More than 470 people took the time to respond. We appreciate that engagement and want to share what we learned—and how we plan to use it.
HOW PEOPLE GET INFORMATION FROM KCSO Most respondents told us they receive Sheriff’s Office updates primarily through Facebook, often supplemented by the Sheriff’s Office website or Everbridge emergency notifications. Instagram is used by a smaller number of citizens. WHAT INFORMATION PEOPLE VALUE MOST Across responses, clear priorities emerged: - Emergency and disaster alerts - Search and Rescue operations - Traffic disruptions and collision information - Crime and enforcement updates focused on what’s happening locally Respondents consistently emphasized that timely, locally relevant information matters far more than frequent posting or generic safety messages. WHAT KIND OF CONTENT WORKS BEST Many respondents said they appreciate posts that explain why deputies take certain actions, how decisions are made during emergencies, and how limited resources are prioritized. Behind-the-scenes content is most valued when it helps people understand law enforcement work—not when it feels promotional. WHAT WE CAN IMPROVE Some respondents noted that relying on social media alone can leave out community members who don’t use those platforms. Others asked for more consistent traffic-related updates, especially when conditions or backups affect daily life. WHAT WE'LL DO NEXT Based on this feedback, we will: - Continue using Facebook as a primary public information platform, while strengthening use of Everbridge for urgent and event-specific alerts. - Prioritize emergency, traffic, SAR, and enforcement information that directly affects safety. - Share explanatory updates that help the public understand how and why decisions are made. - Continue work that's already underway to improve our ability to post timely information about important events on our own public web page. Thank you to everyone who participated. Your input helps us communicate more clearly, responsibly, and effectively in service of our community.
Kittitas County, from the Cascades to the Columbia, and online at http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us
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Contact: Chris Whitsettchristopher.whitsett@co.kittitas.wa.us
