NEW — 4:12 p.m. Nov. 18, 2015
King County Sheriff John Urquhart urged deputies to carry their sidearms at all times in response to the Paris terror attack.
In a Nov. 17 email, Urquhart encouraged deputies to stay vigilant, but added that simply employing a policy of “If you see something, say something,” isn’t enough after what happened in Paris.
“While off-duty I am asking all commissioned personnel to always carry their sidearm, with extra magazines,” he wrote.
The FBI has not received any specific, credible information of any imminent attacks to the country, Urquhart added.
“I believe the bigger threat to the greater Seattle area is a home-grown terrorist who decides to act unilaterally in support of ISIL,” he said.
More than 120 people died after a series of coordinated terrorist attacks in Paris Nov. 13.
“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,” Urquhart told deputies.
The city of Newcastle contracts with the King County Sheriff’s Office for police services.