Police continue holiday DUI crackdown until New Year’s Day
December 26, 2012
NEW — 6 a.m. Dec. 26, 2012
Issaquah police officers plan to continue a national push to pull drunken drivers from local roads during the holiday season.
The agency is joining other police departments in King County, Washington and across the United States through Jan. 1 in Washington’s initial participation in a national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign.
Besides the Issaquah Police Department, the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign includes the nearby Bellevue, Newcastle, North Bend, Sammamish, Snoqualmie and Renton police departments, in addition to the Washington State Patrol.
The local effort is organized and supported through the King County Target Zero Task Force, a regional push to crack down on unsafe driving practices.
Fireworks restrictions remain in effect for New Year’s Eve
December 26, 2012
NEW — 6 a.m. Dec. 26, 2012
The regulations for fireworks vary in the Issaquah area, so residents should determine local rules before deciding to blast into 2013.
In Issaquah, a citywide fireworks ban remains in effect New Year’s Eve. Residents in rural and unincorporated King County can discharge fireworks from 6 p.m. Dec. 31 until 1 a.m. Jan. 1.
Officials remind residents to set off only approved and legal fireworks purchased from reliable state- and King County Fire Marshal Division-licensed retailers. Remember to obey fireworks regulations and practice fireworks safety.
In King County, fireworks sales for New Year’s Eve celebrations remain legal from noon Dec. 27 to 11 p.m. Dec. 31. Patrons must be at least 16 years old and present a form of photo identification in order to purchase fireworks.
Issaquah police trade blue for red to brighten Christmas for families
December 25, 2012
Officer swaps blue uniform for red suit to play Santa
Santa Claus delivers gifts to 7-year-old Blanca Gomez and 6-year-old Sergio Gomez Jr. as the Issaquah Police Department delivers Christmas gifts to local families Dec. 19. By Jacqueline Kerness/Issaquah Police Department
Santa Claus traded the sleigh for a police SUV not long before Christmas.
Walmart invites Issaquah students to ‘Shop with a Cop’
December 18, 2012
First grader Cyrus Comia, 7, one of 10 Issaquah Valley Elementary School students on the ‘Shop with a Cop’ outing, takes toys to a cart as Issaquah Police Sgt. Jeff Johnson helps keep him on his gift-card budget. Comia also bought some socks for his grandmother. By Greg Farrar
In what was a scene straight out of a schoolyard ballfield, 10 officers from the Issaquah and Bellevue police departments stood in a line just waiting to get picked.
Connecticut school shooting raises questions for Issaquah school administrators, parents
December 18, 2012
The massacre at a Newtown, Conn., school raised difficult questions for Issaquah School District administrators and parents in the days after a gunman killed 26 people — including 20 children — on the Sandy Hook Elementary School campus.
Officials sought to reassure parents about campus safety and offer advice about how parents can talk to children about the tragedy.
Local leaders respond to Connecticut school massacre
December 14, 2012
NEW — 3:30 p.m. Dec. 14, 2012
Issaquah School District and King County leaders urged action in the hours after a school shooting in Connecticut claimed 27 lives, including 20 children.
Officials sought to reassure parents about campus safety and offer advice about how parents can talk to children about the tragedy.
“On behalf of the Issaquah School District, our hearts go out to community of Newtown, Conn., and especially to the staff, students and families of Sandy Hook Elementary School,” Issaquah School District Superintendent Steve Rasmussen said in a message emailed to district parents Friday afternoon. “It’s difficult to comprehend the motivation for the horrific attack that took place this morning.
Issaquah Police Department to add patrol officer
December 11, 2012
Expect to see more police patrolling city streets next summer, after the City Council agreed to include dollars in the 2013 municipal budget for the Issaquah Police Department to hire another officer.
The council agreed in the $42 million general fund budget to hire another police officer and a part-time records staffer for the police department. The agency expects to fill both positions after July 1.
The general fund encompasses the dollars used to fund police and fire services, community development and planning, parks and recreation, and municipal government. The police department is the largest expense in the general fund — encompassing more than $8 million — followed by parks and recreation.
Raid uncovers 150 marijuana plants in Issaquah home
December 4, 2012
Police discovered more than 150 marijuana plants during a raid on a downtown Issaquah home, and later arrested a 52-year-old man involved in the grow operation.
Officers surrounded a home in the 100 block of Northwest Dogwood Street at about 11:30 a.m. Nov. 20 to serve a search warrant. Police called for occupants to come outside and, after officers realized the home was empty, entered the building and discovered the plants.
Issaquah Police Cmdr. Scott Behrbaum said charges have not been filed against the man arrested in the incident and the investigation is ongoing.
City Council committee backs drug take-back program
December 4, 2012
City Council members signaled support Nov. 26 for a burgeoning effort to create a King County prescription drug take-back program.
Council Safety & Services Committee members unanimously recommended the council approve a resolution supporting the program.
In a separate decision Nov. 19, council members sent the proposed resolution to the committee. The council is expected to consider the resolution again Dec. 17.
Police raid marijuana operation in downtown Issaquah home
November 28, 2012
NEW — 11:55 a.m. Nov. 28, 2012
Police discovered more than 150 marijuana plants during a raid on a downtown Issaquah home, and later arrested a 52-year-old man involved in the grow operation.
Officers surrounded a home in the 100 block of Northwest Dogwood Street at about 11:30 a.m. Nov. 20 to serve a search warrant. Police called for occupants to come outside and, after officers realized the home was empty, entered the building and discovered the plants.
Issaquah Police Cmdr. Scott Behrbaum said charges have not been filed against the man arrested in the incident. The investigation is ongoing.
Behrbaum said the grow operation was connected to a medical marijuana operation based in Seattle.
