Violence, gang activity, drug dealing and other crimes have been in especially high profile in White Center in the last few months, prompting the community (led by the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council) to campaign for the restoration of the storefront deputy program. That funding was recently restored, at least through 2012.

But the question is, who will fill that role?

When King County Deputy Steve Cox, who was White Center's storefront deputy was killed in 2006, it was a tremendous loss for the department and for the White Center community. By all accounts he was a remarkable man and someone who was passionate about helping people, preventing crime, and making the area a safe place to live and work. His death left a real gap in the ability of those in White Center to effectively communicate with law enforcement.

Into that circumstance, in March of 2007 came Deputy Jeff Hancock. He didn't intend to try and be just like Cox. He knew he had to bring his own values, sense of duty, and dedication to the role. He grew personally, developed dozens of important relationships and in the process came to love the community, its people and the diverse walks of life they represented.

The funding for the program was cut in July 2010 and for the past 14 months Hancock has been serving on Vashon Island. But he misses White Center. When the axe fell he was disappointed. "Everybody was. The command staff, the deputies and not just that it was pulled from the storefront but from patrol spots on the street. It was frustrating after three years, (…) It was finally like, 'we have this machine that the community can use' in terms of getting heard, and suddenly it's gone."

He would like to work there again and believes he has something to offer the community. He understands the job.

"In a storefront you have the ability to really give somebody the attention they need. In that position I'm able to throw my time, resources and experience into solving what some people would think are small problems up to the big problems," Hancock said.

"When I first got into law enforcement I thought I wanted to work on narcotics or on the "high speed units" but what really attracts me is really helping people that need help. I see there's so much of that in White Center and the people in White Center unlike any other community I've worked in, they want to make it better. It's their home. They love it. That's why I want to be here."

"After Steve died, everybody stepped up. The storefront deputy is not like the 'Silver Bullet' to end crime. What the Deputy does is facilitate communication between the community and the Sheriff's office and different organizations. What I found through doing it for three years. The deputy does not make the difference in the community. It's the community that makes the difference. The deputy is just the conduit. It's only as effective as the community is."

Whatever happens, Hancock expressed his faith in the command staff of the Sheriff's office. "From Sheriff Rahr, to Major Graddon, to Captain Hodgson, they truly have as their goal to do the best for the community. With Major Graddon you could say he is, "Mr. North Highline" because he grew up here, he worked here and he loves the area. They want the best. If that's me, then great but if it's not, they are going to get the best person. The community should be celebrating because the battle is won. They got the position restored. I'd love to work here. I have a passion for it and I miss it. (…) I really really enjoy truly helping people help themselves."

Hancock believes that many of the crime issues White Center is dealing with could at least be dealt with more effectively if two ideas were implemented. "I'd love to see (though I know that funding is always an issue) large bright yellow video cameras at key locations around the community. If people know they are being watched or might be recorded they are less likely to commit a crime." The other idea? "Making it illegal to be drunk in public or have an open alcohol container had a tremendous effect in Burien. It cleaned up that area in just a few weeks and I think it would do the same here, though I know getting it passed involves jumping through a lot of hoops."

At a recent Business District Mixer the issues of homeless people sleeping in cars and an "open air drug market" were brought up and Hancock believes he could help with these problems.

He's the father of 6 children under 9 and he said that as a father and a husband (as his wife told him) "everyone was somebody's baby once" and that "You have to treat them with compassion and as human beings." By getting to know the people most likely to cause problems he believes he can be the "de-escalating force" in fights, and keep an eye on those who are most likely to cause trouble. Hancock said he dealt with the man accused in the recent shooting death of Sweetheart Failatusi, "many times" but admitted that in that case, there was really nothing that could have prevented the crime.

The relationships he built during his tenure in the role are still there and people in the area appreciate what he accomplished.

Owner of the Company Bar directly across the street from the storefront deputy location said, "Everybody here wants Hancock back. He understands the area."

Vera Johnson of Village Green Perennial Nursery has been asking people to send her letters of support for Hancock's return. But that's not a sure thing. Other deputies are applying for the open position.

Hancock hopes the Sheriff's office will choose him but will understand it if they don't.

He believes strongly that White Center can be improved and that the restoration of the storefront deputy is a big positive step in that direction.