BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Drugs and crime have changed the way they do business at Bellingham's Boundary Bay Brewing.
Owner Janet Lightner says she has spent thousands on security cameras and fortified locks to keep her establishment safe.
"It's kind of the new normal as far as added security and that kind of thing," Lightner says.
The problems have been so persistent Lightner has had to change how she schedules people to make sure no one is alone at the brewery at night.
This comes after someone threatened to douse one of her workers with gasoline and set him on fire.
"It's just terrible when somebody is threatened or scared. We're just very thankful nobody was hurt," says Lightner. "It's terrifying and it's maddening."
Much of the issue can be traced to the opioid epidemic and the prevalence of fentanyl.
Whatcom County health officials say last year, there were at least 130 overdose deaths compared to 91 in 2022.
That's a 43% increase.
There are serious concerns that the number will grow again this year.
In office barely two months, newly elected Bellingham Mayor Kim Lund is now taking action via executive order.
The order will open a new substation downtown for police and paramedics, toughen enforcement of drug laws, expand access to drug treatment in high overdose areas and increase sanitation.
Lund says it's all part of a comprehensive plan to reimagine downtown Bellingham.
"To have that first responder presence downtown, it should disrupt the criminal activity," says Lund. "Store owners should expect police to stop in. They'll be asking how things are going. That is the foundation for a relationship-based community policing model."
Bellingham is also partnering with Whatcom County to respond to the opioid epidemic the same way they coordinate on things like natural disasters.
Mayor Lund believes cities are defined by their downtowns and she doesn't like what she sees in hers.
"We don't want what is happening downtown to define our community," says Lund. "We're excited about laying the foundation for a vibrant, healthy downtown."
Back at Boundary Bay, there is cautious optimism that change is on the way.
"There's a new administration in the mayor's office. It's like hope springs eternal. It's a start," says Lightner.