Kent, City Public Works and Police Department are asking for your help in solving a huge mystery in the City of Kent. Where have all the storm drain grates disappeared to? The city is very worried as this type of crime puts the citizens at risk. When the storm drain grate or manhole cover is missing it leaves a large hole for people or animals to fall into. Vehicles can even encounter large damage by driving over an open storm drain. The grates weigh between 80 to 106 pounds and manhole covers are typically around 113 pounds. To report missing grates or covers, please contact Public Work Operations at 253-856-5600 or if you have any information regarding the thefts please call the Kent Police Department Tip line at 253-856-5808.

“Updated 3/1/2011. The family of the Kent Police Officer Rob McCuistion has invited the public to attend a memorial celebration of Rob’s life this Saturday March 5, 2011. Services will start at 11:00AM at the First Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 19800 108 Avenue SE, in Kent. Saturday’s service will incorporate traditional Police Honors while also recognizing Rob’s considerable achievements and contributions in life. “

On February 24th, 2011 Kent Police department lost one of it’s own. Officer Robin McCuistion was driving home early Thursday morning when his car left he roadway on Kersey Way Se in Auburn. The car traveled down a steep embarnkment and struck a tree where he died at the scene from his injuries. Officer McCuistion has been with the Kent Police department since August of 1997 where he spent his career on street patrol and response. He also was a Field Training Officer, working with police recruits preparing them for their street assignments. Officer McCuistion is survived by his wife and three grown children.

The City of Kent is opening the Severe Weather Shelter (SWS) tonight at Kent Lutheran Church for the evenings of Wednesday February 23rd, Thursday February 24th, and Friday February 25th due to predicted dangerously low temperatures and snow.

Kent Lutheran Church

336 2nd Avenue South

Kent, WA 98032-5849

9 P.M. – Check-in and registration

7 A.M. – shelter closes, clients must vacate

Priority is given to homeless families with children who are living on the streets or in vehicles, but the SWS is also available for single women and men (separate sleeping space has been prepared for single men, women, and for families with children). The SWS will be operated by Catholic Community Services staff, and volunteers from Kent Lutheran Church and the Kent community.

The SWS will open at 9 P.M. Clients must register at the door. As with all shelters, rules for the health and safety of all clients and staff and the broader community will apply.

Please help distribute this announcement.

City of Kent, Housing and Human Services

253-856-5070

In a press release from Michelle Witham from the Mayor’s office, Mayor Suzette Cooke has named Ken Thomas as Kent’s newest Police Chief. He replaces Chief Steve Strachan who resigned at the end of December to take a position as Undersheriff for the King County Sheriff’s Department.

Ken Thomas Named Chief of Police for Kent

KENT, Wash. – January 19, 2011 – Ken Thomas, a 22-year police veteran with a history of innovative leadership and community outreach, will take the lead as the new Chief of Police for the City of Kent.

“Thomas’s leadership excellence and his ability to build strong relationships with diverse communities makes him an outstanding choice to lead our Police Department,” Mayor Suzette Cooke said. “Simply put, Ken is the right choice for our community and the right choice for the department.”

Currently serving as Captain of the 185-member department, Thomas is credited with leading Kent’s Community Oriented Policing Unit that has resulted in reduced residential burglaries and auto thefts.

“As a veteran of the department, he is very familiar with our community and neighborhoods, and recognizes our challenges,” Cooke said.

“I’m honored to be chosen for this position. I will do everything in my power to make Kent the safest city in the region,” Thomas said. “I’m looking forward to working with the Mayor and City Council, and every member of this great department, just as I’m looking forward to working with the community as a true partner in public safety.”

Four candidates were interviewed by three panels representing Kent’s diverse community, public safety professionals, and business and civic leaders.

“While each candidate’s breadth of experience and commitment were impressive, Ken Thomas was the overwhelming top choice of each of three panels,” said Cooke. “The panelists like the direction the department is going; the officers like the direction the department is going. We all want to keep the current momentum.”

Council President Jamie Perry said the entire Council supports the selection of Thomas. “He’s going to do a great job and he’s got the experience we need.”

Thomas holds a Master’s Degree in Organizational Development from Central Washington University in Ellensburg. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy.

Thomas will be sworn in as Chief within the next two weeks. He replaces Chief Steve Strachan, who resigned in December 2010 to serve as Chief Deputy of the King County Sheriff’s Office.

Already this week, Kent has experienced a bit of unusual activity.

Starting with the ammonia leak downtown that caused street closures between 6:30 and 10 am yesterday, the week has evolved into a strange snow-rain mix amid speculation that today’s commute will be a bear. Rather than rehash what’s already been said, here are links to the area’s top stories:

Ammonia Leak – Kent Reporter

Ammonia Leak – Seattle Times

Cheaper Garbage Rates beginning April 1

Drive Kent – Driving Conditions

Kent Weather @ Weather.com

KING5 Area Weather

KING5 Closings & Delays

KIRO News Live (video)

KIRO Weather Forecast (video)

Washington DOT Seattle Area Traffic Map (check frequently for blockages and other delays)

Note:  As of 5:11 am, Jan. 12, Kent School District is operating on its planned schedule which includes an early start for KSD elementary school students and a late arrival for middle and high school students.

The City of Kent is activating the Severe Weather Shelter (SWS) tonight at Kent Lutheran Church for the evenings of Monday January 10, Tuesday January 11, and Wednesday January 12 due to predicted dangerously low temperatures and snow.

Kent Lutheran Church
336 2nd Avenue South
Kent, WA 98032-5849

9 P.M. – Check-in and registration

7 A.M. – shelter closes, clients must vacate

Priority is given to homeless families with children who are living on the streets or in vehicles, but the SWS is also available for single women and men. The SWS will be operated by Catholic Community Services staff, and volunteers from Kent Lutheran Church and the Kent community.

The SWS will open at 9 P.M. Clients must register at the door. As with all shelters, rules for the health and safety of all clients and staff and the broader community will apply.

Please help distribute this announcement.

City of Kent, Housing and Human Services
253-856-5070

In a press release dated today from Michelle Witham, communications director for the City of Kent, Mayor Suzette Cooke announced that the finalists for the position of Kent Police Chief . They include  David Frazer of Rohnert Park, California; Jeffry Sale of Spokane; Kenneth Thomas of Puyallup; and Michael Villa of Auburn. The selected candidate will replace Chief Steve Strachan as Kent Police Chief. Strachan vacated the position on January 5 to take the position of King County Undersheriff.

“After careful consideration of the 18 applications, four finalists were selected to participate in on-site interviews,” Cooke said.

“Our screeners spent several hours reviewing the applications, determining minimum qualifications and compatibility of experience for our community.  We are pleased with the quality of the four finalists and look forward to concluding the interview process, and selecting our new Police Chief, hopefully by early March.”

Frazer, the only out-of-state candidate, brings 24 years of police, fire and emergency operations experience. His current position is Police Chief of McFarland, California, a city of approximately 13,000 located in the San Joaquin Valley, where he established a new department in 120 days after ceasing to contract with Kern County for police services.  Previously, Frazer was with the Rohnert Park, California Police Department (city population 43,000) where he served as Division Commander for the 78-member department since 1986.  (In the case of each city, the department population represents the total number of commissioned officers and full-time employees.) He holds a Masters Degree in Leadership from St. Mary’s College of California.

Sale, who has served since 2004 as Chief of the 25-member Police Department in Cheney, Washington, population 10,500 (20,000 when Central Washington University classes are in session), has 32 years of law enforcement experience, including 25 years with the Washington State Patrol.  He is credited with developing a multi-agency team to identify and provide services to at-risk youth and speaks nationally on law enforcement issues.  Sale is a graduate of Washington State University and the FBI National Academy.

Thomas, a 22-year veteran of the 185-member Kent Police Department, currently serves as Captain.  He is credited with leading the City’s Community Oriented Policing Unit resulting in reduced residential burglaries and auto thefts.  Thomas holds a Masters Degree in Organizational Development from Central Washington University and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy.

Villa brings 20 years of police experience to his current position as Assistant Police Chief for the City of Tukwila.  The 87-member department serves a population of 18,190 residents (140,000 daytime population).  Villa is credited with the development and implementation of a multi-pronged strategy which has resulted in a decrease of residential burglaries.  He saw active duty in the US Marine Corps Reserves, has a Business Degree from Central Washington University and graduated from the FBI National Academy.

The finalists will be interviewed January 13 by three separate panels, including one comprised of community members.

Read the press release online here.

Kent Police responded to a traffic accident after 3 am on Christmas Eve in the 26600 block of Woodland Way South, where three men received minor injuries. Police on the scene arrived to find a 2008 BMW Sedan wrapped around a large tree, with a driver and two passengers trapped inside. The Kent Police Department used the “jaws of life” to extract the three accident victims. The driver, a 3o-year-old Kent man, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. The other two men were transported to the hospital and released with minor injuries. According to a press release issued by the Kent Police Department, the vehicle’s seatbelts and airbags are credited with saving the occupants’ lives. The BMW, which was traveling at a high rate of speed before the crash, was totaled.

For the complete press release, visit the City of Kent website.

Information provided by Sgt. Jarod Kasner of Kent Police Department.

From the City of Kent:

Kent Police have arrested a suspect believed to be involved in the Halloween night murder of an 18 year old Kent man. Devon Topps was shot outside an east Kent home while leaving a private Halloween party near on October 31st of this year.

The arrest culminated an early evening cat-and-mouse surveillance effort by police. Working with information developed by Kent Police Detectives, undercover officers went to the Kings Arms Motel in Des Moines on a tip that evidence of the crime would be located there. Shortly thereafter detectives identified and followed two cars associated to the crime leaving the area. One of those cars was stopped a short time later without incident. When Detectives attempted to stop the second car, the driver sped into a nearby residential neighborhood before abandoning the vehicle.

Police surrounded the area and while searching for the vehicles two occupants, saw another car driving away quickly. When they tried to stop that car, officers saw a passenger jump out and run away. A Kent Police canine team was called in to assist. It was during that search that an alert Kent Detective driving through the area noticed a man crossing a parking lot a short distance away. That man, wearing only a t-shirt and jeans, was contacted and eventually identified as the suspect.

A twenty year old Auburn man was arrested and brought to the Kent City Jail. No stranger to local law enforcement, he has an extensive criminal history.

Kent Police Chief Steve Strachan noted “Our Detectives have been working on this senseless murder without rest. It’s good to finally have a suspect in jail and see this case moving forward toward prosecution”. The suspect will remain in Kent until formal charges are filed by the King County Prosecutor later today or tomorrow. At that time he will be transferred to King County Corrections.
Media Contact:
Lieutenant Pat Lowery
(253) 856-5833
plowery@ci.kent.wa.us

From Lt. Pat Lowery of Kent Police Department:

Kent Police are asking the public for assistance in locating a suspect in the death of an East Kent woman. Kent Police discovered the body of 45 year old Bonnie K. Peterson yesterday morning after a call from concerned friends brought Police to her home.

While details of the crime are still being reviewed by Detectives, Kent Police have identified Shawn David Gulseth as a suspect. Gulseth had a former romantic relationship with Peterson.

Police are cautioning the public NOT to try and interfere with Gulseth. “This is a crime of violence committed by a very dangerous person” said Kent Police Lieutenant Pat Lowery.

Anyone that knows the whereabouts of Shawn David Gulseth should call 9-1-1 immediately. Persons with information that may lead to his capture should call Kent Police Department at 253-856-5808 with their information.

Shawn David Gulseth
White male, 40 years old
Brown hair pulled back into a pony tail
Extensive tattoos from neck to arms

Kent Police Investigate Possible Homicide

December 21, 2010–Kent Police are investigating an apparent homicidal death on Kent’s East Hill. Patrol Officers were called to the Village at Lake Meridian Apartments, 25811 110 Avenue SE at 10:22 this morning for a death investigation.

Police were summoned by a family friend that had come to the victim’s home to check on her well being. Concerns were raised when family and friends were unable to reach the victim during the morning hours. That circumstance was described as a highly unusual for the victim.

Police initially entered the house and located the body of the 45 year old female resident inside. Officers secured the area around the apartment, and then obtained a search warrant to conduct their investigation. Working with the King County Prosecutors Office, Detectives and Crime Scene Technicians re-entered the apartment shortly after 1 PM. Once inside they found the crime scene to be in a state of disarray and the victim with obvious signs of trauma. A cause of death has not yet been determined, though the King County Medical Examiner will be on scene this evening conducting that portion of the investigation.

“This is a woman that was greatly loved by her friends and family,” noted Kent Police Lieutenant Pat Lowery, “the fact that this occurred just prior to the Christmas holiday only compounds the tragedy”. While Police have not identified a suspect at this time, there is nothing to indicate that the woman was a chance victim.

Detectives continue to work with family and friends in hopes of identifying a suspect and motive for this crime. Members of the public that have information regarding this crime should call the Kent Police Department at 253-856-5800.

Contributed by Lt. Pat Lowery of Kent Police Department
253-856-5833
plowery@ci.kent.wa.us

Kent Police Serve Search Warrant for Counterfeit Prescriptions
Police seize computers and guns from local apartment.

KENT, Wash. – December 7, 2010 – Kent Police and Valley SWAT personnel have served a search warrant at an east Kent apartment while investigating a prescription forgery ring. The warrant was served at the Birch Creek Apartments, 12953 SE 275 St, Kent, at 10 AM today. The residents of the apartment, a local man and woman, have been arrested. The search of their apartment is on-going.

Officers first became aware of the location while investigating a recent prescription forgery. Through investigation Police identified the source of the forged prescription as a 33 year old Kent man. Officers learned that the counterfeiting operation was run from the man’s apartment. Police also learned that the person of interest was a convicted felon and was in possession of at least one firearm.

Due to the presence of the firearm and the suspect’s history of violent crime, Police used a SWAT team to make contact. Early today, Kent Police surrounded the residence, evacuated neighboring apartments, and then used a Police Negotiator to call the suspect and his house mate from the apartment. The pair exited without incident. Detectives recovered an extensive amount of evidence pertaining to the forgeries, ID theft, as well as two guns.

Kent Police have charged the pair with ID Theft and Prescription Forgery. The man has also been charged as a Felon Possessing a Firearm. “We are very satisfied with the outcome of this investigation and the warrant service” noted Lieutenant Pat Lowery. Both suspects are being held in the Kent Corrections Center.

The scene of this morning’s arrests:

Kent businesses and employees, the Kent Police Department has identified a new trend to gain entry to businesses for unlawful purposes. Here is the information provided by Sara Wood, Public Education Specialist, for the Kent PD.

“Kent Police have identified a trend targeting businesses. Suspects are gaining access through the peep holes of doors and are drilling a hole in the door and using some type of device to pull the “push bar” and open the door. The suspects are targeting businesses and accessing rear doors that have no exterior handles, meaning the interior of the door is a push bar style.

One attempted burglary occurred on the East Hill last night. The suspects were unsuccessful gaining access to the door due to it being secured from the inside with an additional lock.

If you have a business with a door that has no exterior handles but a push bar on the inside, please consider utilizing a secondary locking device, ie. padlock, door frame lock, dowels, etc. Also, if you have an alarm system on your doors, make sure they are activated. If you have a surveillance system, be sure it is working properly and recording.”

Please share it with anyone you know who might be affected. Thank you!

In Kent PD’s crime stats for the week of 11/16 – 11/22/10, vehicle prowls and thefts are increasing. Along with the list of incidents, they also issue this warning to car owners:

“Vehicle Prowl Prevention – There is a recent trend of vehicle prowls of cars that are parked in driveways. The suspects then use the garage door openers that are in the cars and use those to gain access to the garage and sometimes the home. Items have been stolen from the garages, as well as cars that are parked inside the garage. If you can, park in the garage. If not, EVERY TIME, remove the garage door opener and valuables from cars parked outside.”

Other safety tips:

• Do not leave a running car unattended, even if it is locked.
• Stay with your car while it is warming up.
• Do not leave any valuables of any kind in your vehicle.
• Always keep your car locked.
• Report any suspicious activity to 9-1-1.
  • Unfamiliar people wandering through neighborhoods or around schools
  • Door to door “salesmen”
  • Looking in house or car windows
  • Walking around to the back of the house
  • Peeking into vehicles
  • Parked or occupied unfamiliar vehicles.
• Report any vehicle vandalism to 9-1-1.

Protect your vehicle, valuables and home by being aware of your surroundings and reporting suspicious activity.

Thanks to Sara Wood and Kent PD for providing this information.

With winter weather upon us unexpectedly, it is hard to know what’s open, what’s closed and what’s coming next. Here are a few local resources to help you sort it all out:

School Closings

Kent School District [Schools are closed Tuesday, November 23.]

Tahoma School District [Schools are closed Tuesday, November 23.]

All School Closings – KING5

All School Closings – KOMO

Road Closures

Kent Road Closures

King County Road Alerts

Seattle Area Traffic – WSDOT

WSDOT Travel Alerts

Miscellaneous

Current Weather – KING5

Current Weather – KOMO

King County Warming Shelters

Metro Transit Alerts

Power Outages & Info. – KING5

Puget Sound Energy

Sound Transit Alerts

Waste Management Service Delays

Winter Storm Prep – Take Winter by Storm

WSDOT – What’s Happening Now?

WSDOT Winter Driving Guide

There has been a steady trend of vehicle prowls and thefts in Kent as of late. Many of these thefts involved vehicles used by businesses. Remember, if you operate vans, trucks, or cars as part of your business, it is just as important to secure these vehicles as it is your personal vehicle.

The City of Kent crime stats for the week of Oct. 19th through Oct. 25th had 13 vehicle prowls – 7 in the Valley, 3 in the Panther Lake area, 3 in the East Hill area. During that week there were also 25 vehicle thefts – 4 on the West Hill (park and rides especially!), 10 in the Valley, 2 in the Panther Lake area, 9 in the East Hill area.

The best advice that can be given regarding this subject is to always, always, always remove all your valuables every time you park or else you and your car may end up being another crime statistic.

If you’ve got old household items, chemicals or other recyclable materials ready to go, bring them to Kent’s Fall Recycling Event scheduled for Sat., Oct. 16 from 9 am to 3 pm.

The event will be held at Russell Road Park (24400 Russell Rd., Kent), and the city will accept these items (note: some require a donation):

• Appliances and scrap metal
• Propane tanks
• Porcelain toilets & sinks
• Refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners
• Televisions, computers, monitors & laptops
• Electronics
• Petroleum-based products
• Tires
• Reusable household goods
• Document shredding (limit 3 file-size boxes per person)
• Cardboard
• Concrete, asphalt, rock and brick
• Batteries
• Mattresses

No flatbeds or dump trucks allowed. No vehicles will be admitted for entry after 3 p.m. For more information about recycling in Kent, Washington, visit these helpful websites:

Recycling Special Materials

Hazardous Waste

Update–September 27, 2010–The Kent PD’s first-ever “Prescription Drug Take Back Day” was a big success. In four hours, the Kent PD collected 178 pounds of prescribed medications and medicine. According to Sgt. Pat Lowery, the Kent PD hopes to sponsor another event. Until then, Kent residents can go to http://takebackyourmeds.org for more information on the safe disposal of prescription and over-the-counter medications.

______________________________________

According to a press release from the Kent Police Department, prescription drugs are among the most commonly abused narcotics, second only to marijuana. To help combat this problem, the Kent Police are participating in the first Prescription Drug Take Back Day this Sat., Sept. 25. In a partnership between the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and local law enforcement agencies, the event will provide a safe, secure environment for the community to return unused, expired or unneeded medication.

These include:

• Controlled, non-controlled and over-the-counter medicines
• All solid dosage pharmaceutical products and liquids in consumer containers
• Liquid products (e.g., cough syrup, cold medicine, etc.)

Collection sites cannot take:

• Intravenous solutions, injectible liquids, syringes or medical waste
• Illicit substances including marijuana and methamphetamines

A collection station will be available in front of the Kent Police Department (232 Fourth Avenue South, downtown Kent) Sat., Sept. 25 from 10 am to 2 pm. Questions? Call Stacy Judd at 253-856-5883.

View Flyer Here

Last week the King County Flood Control District sent out letters to property owners regarding the upcoming flood season. Here is a copy of the letter sent by Julia Patterson, Chair, Board of Supervisors of the King County Flood Control District.

For more information about flood preparedness, visit King County Flood District online or contact the organization via email with questions and comments. For more information about the flood district, visit King County Flood Control.

“September 3, 2010

Help is on the way; stay prepared this flood season!

Dear Floodplain Property Owner,

I’m pleased to share good news with you – President Obama recently signed legislation that funds improvements to strengthen the Howard Hanson Dam, reducing the risk of flooding to the Green River Valley. The funding allows the dam’s operator, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, to complete repairs by the 2011/2012 flood season. Once these measures are in place, the Corps believes that the dam could be operated at full flood-control capacity for decades.

Storms in January 2009 weakened the dam, causing the Corps to restrict the water level in the reservoir behind the dam and increasing the risk of flooding in the valley. Given the significant public safety and economic threat that a weakened Howard Hanson Dam would cause, the King County Flood Control District, along with the Corps, Governor Gregoire, King County and valley city elected officials, quickly came together to prepare for the potential impacts of flooding and to advocate for emergency repairs.

Our local congressional delegation responded and we are very appreciative of their efforts to secure the necessary funds to provide additional repairs. The repairs will provide critically needed protection and time for the Corps to evaluate whether additional long-term repairs are necessary. We must all continue to be diligent to protect the people, businesses and infrastructure of the Green River Valley and to minimize devastating economic impacts from potential floods.

What does this mean for you?

While last year’s temporary improvements were successful at lowering the risk of flooding in the Green River Valley, the dam will continue to operate at a limited capacity during the upcoming 2010/2011 flood season. Therefore there is still a heightened risk of flooding. It is important for you to get ready and stay ready.

• Buy flood insurance, if you have not already done so;
• Establish or update an emergency plan for your family, business, pets or livestock; and
• Have emergency supplies on hand.

Please help us spread the word about the continued risk of flooding during the 2010/2011 flood season and the importance of being prepared. Share this information with your family, neighbors, friends and coworkers.

For more flood preparedness information, please go to www.kingcounty.gov/floodplans.  If you have questions or comments please contact info@kingcountyfloodcontrol.org. For information about the King County Flood Control District please go to www.kingcountyfloodcontrol.org.

Sincerely,

Julia Patterson, Chair
Board of Supervisors
King County Flood Control District

The King County Flood Control District is a special purpose government created to provide funding and policy oversight for flood protection projects and programs in King County.  The Flood Control District’s Board is composed of the members of the King County Council. The Water and Land Resources Division of the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks develops and implements the approved flood protection projects and programs. Information is available at www.kingcountyfloodcontrol.org.

The Kent Police Department released the crime stats for last week, July 20-26, 2010, along with some helpful crime prevention tips to keep you and your family safe this summer.

Punched door lock and smashed windows:  According to Kent PD, these are two popular methods for thieves to use to gain access to your vehicle. To prevent this, always lock your car doors and remove valuables from your vehicle. These items are the most appealing to would-be thieves:  GPS units, tools, computers, spare change, sunglasses and cell phone charges.

Full-time DUI patrols are in force:  This summer special full-time DUI patrols are patrolling local streets and highways to keep drunk drivers off the road. Kent PD recommends that you be safe and be smart by finding alternative transportation if you’ve been drinking:  (1) take public transit; (2) designate a driver to remain sober; and (3) take a taxi.

Never leave children unattended in a vehicle: Did you know that it is illegal to leave your vehicle running with a child in it? In addition, running cars with kids in them are easy targets to thieves, and it is unsafe to leave your child or pet in the car during the summer time. When outdoor temps are 80 or above, the inside temp of your vehicle can escalate to as high as 130 degrees in just an hour!

For more tips like these or to learn more about crime prevention, contact one of the Kent PD’s public education specials:

West Hill – Cesi Velez, 253-856-5884

East Hill – Stacy Judd, 253-856-5883

Valley – Sara Wood, 253-856-5851

Contact: Kathy Lambert 206-296-1003

July 30, 2010

Be Responsible With Summer Fun on the Water

Summer is here, and many King County residents are celebrating by taking advantage of the many water recreation opportunities available here.

While cooling off in local lakes and rivers is a great way to beat the heat of a hot summer day, it also is important to be respectful of neighbors and of the environment, said Councilmember Kathy Lambert, who represents northeast King County. She has heard from citizens complaining about garbage left on their property, and they would like recreational users to be neighborly by cleaning up after themselves.

“Summer vacation is a good time to remind everyone to dispose of your garbage properly, especially in a water environment,” said Councilmember Lambert. “In addition to polluting waterfront properties and contaminating salmon habitat, throwing garbage in a state waterway such as a lake or river is unlawful.”

RCW 9.66.010 specifies that befouling a lake, navigable river, bay, stream, canal or basin is a public nuisance, and state law bans disposal of trash in the state’s waterways. An offender can be charged with a misdemeanor, which is punishable with a fine of up to $1,000 and 90 days in jail. The King County Sheriff’s Office will be watching for careless swimmers, rafters and boaters this summer.

“Summer is a time for everyone to have fun, including your neighbors, and to make sure to keep our waterways clean and beautiful for the next user,” said Councilmember Lambert.