Administrative assistant for the city believe her feelings trump the rights of the citizens. In this tense encounter, an independent journalist enters city offices to exercise a basic legal right: inspecting the public records index. Under Washington state law (RCW 42.56.070), this document is required to be available for public inspection. It’s not a favor; it’s the law. Enter Sabrina Costik, an administrative assistant who claims to be "brand new" but is already attempting to rewrite the Constitution based on her personal feelings. The exchange highlights a growing and dangerous trend in public service—the idea that personal "traumas and triggers" override the civil rights of the public. Throughout the video, Sabrina argues that: Her "comfort level" should dictate where a citizen stands. Her "liberties" are being violated by a camera in a government building. Recording her is "incredibly rude," effectively prioritizing social etiquette over the First Amendment. The situation required the intervention of Deputy Chief Matt McKnight of the Chehalis Police Department. In a masterclass of de-escalation and legal clarity, McKnight had to explain the hard truth to his own staff: when you are a public servant in a public building, you do not have a "reasonable expectation of privacy" while performing your duties. McKnight—who is currently campaigning for Lewis County Sheriff—remained professional, but the core issue remains: Why are public employees being put behind counters without a fundamental understanding of the Bill of Rights? As far as McKnight, he is running for sheriff in 2026 and his understanding and respect for the rights of the citizens is everything you would want in county sheriff. That said, as far as Sabrina, when "I’m uncomfortable" becomes a tool to suppress transparency, the public loses.
