POPD partners with BlueBridge Alliance to aid those in urgent need
Published 1:30 am Wednesday, January 21, 2026
The Port Orchard City Council approved an agreement between BlueBridge Alliance and the city’s police department as part of its Jan. 13 meeting.
BlueBridge Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides aid to those in urgent need by equipping trained law enforcement individuals with pre-loaded debit cards. There are currently 65 other law enforcement agencies in Washington State that are partners with BlueBridge Alliance, including the Bremerton and Suquamish police departments.
“We are live now with BlueBridge, we have our account set up, and we anticipate having the cards ready to go by early (this) week,” said police chief Matt Brown. “We (had) a training day for half of our staff…Jan. 23. There’s a lot of people really excited for this. It’s a way to meet people where they are at and meet their needs. This is a way the community can continue to help us do that, helping neighbors in need.”
The program is overseen by a deputy chief, and funding is solely sourced from public donations. Mayor Rob Putaansuu signed off on the agreement Jan. 13.
“This goes to the heart of our mission. We are partners with the community, not just out trying to enforce the law, but trying to make people’s lives better,” said Brown.
At its first meeting of the year, the council also spoke about the new waterfront community event center (CEC), which will begin construction in 2027. The addition of a stormwater pump station and water quality treatment facility was approved for design by the council.
This addition to the CEC project will cost $208,924 and will pump stormwater from the CEC and plaza during king tides and heavy rainfall to avoid current flooding problems downtown. There was talk amongst the council about the options of engineered wetlands or a trailer system, which would make the pump portable.
KPFF Consulting Engineers is already working on the CEC project with the city, and would also be working on the addition of the stormwater pump.
Jan. 13 was also Councilmember Shirah Dedman’s first meeting since being elected in November. “I’m excited to work alongside my fellow councilmembers in making city business, including the budget, transparent and accessible. I ask a lot of questions because there’s a lot to learn — I’m eager to learn it so that I can fulfill the promises I made to my constituents,” Dedman said.
