The Formation of Public Safety Employees Union 519
Located in Seattle Washington, the King County Police Union/Public Safety Employees 519 has been the organization behind My ID Club since 1997. They have provided over 400,000 free identification cards to children under 16. As a result of its incredible success and popularity the King County Police Union has focused its fundraising efforts on the My ID Club child safety program. In existence since 1962, the Public Safety Employees Union 519 was formed by the efforts of King County Sheriff’s Office employees who served the rural community and worked under the direction of an elected sheriff. A problem existed with the size of the department and an individual’s ability to move up within it. Although people voted to enact civil service to eradicate this problem in 1959, there was still an immediate need to improve working conditions. Thus, the union was created. Dustin Fredericks has been the organizations Business Manager since the early 1990's and was instrument is the early development of The MY ID CLUB. Entering it's 20 year, the MY ID CLUB is now the longest running and most successful community outreach program of any public safety organization in Washington State.