Posted: Monday, 09 August 2010 6:50AM

Whatcom County Gets Federal Funds For Border Security


Dillon Honcoop Reporting
kgmi@kgmi.com


WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. -- Whatcom County will continue to receive extra federal dollars for law enforcement on the United State’s northern border.

Local officials said the county requires more funding than areas of a similar size, since it lies on the border with Canada.

Sheriff Bill Elfo said that over the past 3 years, the county has gotten about $2.9-million in federal help through a program dubbed ‘Operation Stonegarden.’

Now, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen says the county is getting more than $790,000 in continuing grants.

“Operation Stonegarden helps local law enforcement coordinate their activities with federal, state and tribal law enforcement agencies in their joint efforts to secure our common border with our Canadian partners,â€