(VANCOUVER, WA.) —Vancouver police officer Holly Musser receives Kindness 911 award. Small Business Week and Month along National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Persons were also proclaimed.
The Vancouver City Council meeting on May 4, 2026, was marked by significant recognition, policy debates, and concerns over public engagement and funding transparency.
The meeting began with a heartfelt 'Kindness 911' award to Officer Holly Messer, celebrating her extraordinary community impact.
Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle introduced the program.
“Kindness 911 was founded by lifelong Vancouver resident Jason Hattrick almost seven years ago in 2019 and is a program that recognizes people through our first responders for their genuine, positive impact on their community by issuing kindness citations, a tangible showing of our appreciation,” McEnerny-Ogle said.
Police Chief Troy Price spoke highly of the Kindness 911 program.
“When people in the community are observed doing good things or going out of their way by law enforcement, we have the opportunity to present them with the kindness citation, and it just helps build stronger relationships between Vancouver police and the community we serve.
Vancouver Police Department officer, Holly Musser was given the special honor during Monday’s council meeting.
Hattrick presented Officer Musser with the award.
Photo Credit: CVTV
“Holly truly loves to serve. Officer Musser is not normal. She is extraordinary. She genuinely demonstrates kindness in all she does. She understands that kindness is not nearly a one-time event, but it’s a habit that needs to be built upon daily, creating a culture of kindness throughout the community. And in the end, leaving a lasting, powerful legacy,” Hattrick said.
Through the generosity of the community, Kindness 911 also donates financially to local law enforcement and firefighter-supported charities in the name of those who exemplify kindness, compassion and goodwill.
Next, the mayor proclaimed both Small Business Week and Month.
“Vancouver's entrepreneurs reflect a wide range of talents and backgrounds, contributing to a strong, diverse, and resilient local economy. The City of Vancouver joins communities across the
nation in honoring small businesses for their essential role in our economy and helping to ensure that our neighborhoods remain vibrant and thriving now,” the mayor said.
Kimberly Quiroz, a senior business developer at the Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber, accepted the proclamation.
Photo Credit: CVTV
“This proclamation is not just recognition. It is a reminder that when small businesses succeed, our entire community thrives on the behalf of the Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber,” Quiroz said.
The mayor also pointed out that the City of Vancouver's revolving loan fund will offer 1.2 million in loans to small businesses in the Fourth Plain investment area, along with another 1.2 million in matching funds for small businesses citywide that lack access to traditional financing.
Following this, Mayor McEnerny-Ogle read the proclamation for National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Persons.
“Washington state has the second highest rate of missing and murdered indigenous, and the risk of rape or sexual assault is 2.5 times higher for indigenous women than the rest of the country. And the city of Vancouver is committed to spreading awareness of our indigenous women, girls to spirit, transgender and gender non-conforming relatives who have gone missing or have been murdered,” McEnerny-Ogle said.
Duana Ricks-Johnson, a Colville/Lakes Tribal Member, accepted this proclamation and gave powerful testimony about its importance.
Photo Credit: CVTV
“By bringing attention to this ongoing genocide, those indigenous persons who are fleeing from DVSA and trafficking will continue to be targeted, victimized, and exploited by those who would seek to do us harm. As I sit here, there are eight 108 open missing cases just in Washington State alone,”
Ricks-Johnson thanked the council for their ongoing support and expressed how meaningful it has been to feel safe here and call Vancouver home.
These proclamations join others that have been celebrated by the council during the month of May.
If you would like to comment or add to this report, please email me at rory.h@lead4earth.org or comment below.
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