Decreased use and budget cuts are to blame for the closure of the King County Sheriff Office’s precinct station in Maple Valley according to Sheriff Sue Rahr.

“We’re dealing with a new reality here,” she said.

Rahr, who spoke at the Maple Valley Black Diamond Chamber of Commerce luncheon Aug. 17, explained the reasons why she decided to shut down the East Precinct Station, which is located next to state Route 169 at Southeast 231st Street.

The most significant contribution to the closure has been cuts to the King County Council budget. Rahr was informed she had to cut 3 percent out of the Sheriff Office’s budget.

“I had the terrible choice of cutting deputies or shutting down stations,” she said.

Having already laid off 12 deputies this year so far, Rahr chose to close down the East Precinct Station, also known as Precinct 3, to avoid further lay offs.

“My decision was to keep deputies on the road,” she said.

Rahr cited the low level of activity at the station as proof that the impact will not be as harsh as it might have been.

“It’s not the beehive it was 10 years ago,” she said.

Nevertheless, Rahr added, “It’s a huge, big deal to close down the facility. There is a tremendously strong tie between the station and the city.”

Along with Maple Valley, Kenmore’s station will also close, while a new command center will be placed in Sammamish City Hall. It is expected to save the county $8.6 million.

Meanwhile, a new Sheriff Office station is expected to open in Covington this fall, which will operate out of City Hall.

Despite the closure, the number of deputies working in Maple Valley will remain the same, thanks to the advance of technology. Maple Valley is one of 12 contract cities in King County. Contract officers, Rahr stated, primarily operate out of their vehicles, which they drive home at the end of their shift. Such officers, therefore, have very little need for a station.

Additionally, Rahr provided some explanations for why the County Council decided to cut out of the Sheriff’s Office budget.

“There is a strong belief on the council that those who live in rural areas have chosen a rural area quality of service,” she said. “It’s not something that can be defended, but, it’s the reality.”