The Kent Police Department reports that there were four robberies during the week of Jan. 17 – 23, 2012. Each included the taking of purses when victims were at an ATM, walking down the street or getting out of their cars to go into a store. They occurred at various times of day ranging from morning to around midnight. The city offers these tips for your safety:

1. Walk with confidence and purpose with your head up.
2. When you are standing at an ATM, walking down the street or getting out of your car, scan your surroundings for potential danger or suspicious activity.
3. Stay in well lit areas and avoid doorways, shrubbery and remote places.
4. Stay in pairs whenever possible.

If someone approaches you or seems to be following, cross the street or change directions and look for a safe place to go.

For more safety tips, visit the Kent Police Department online.

Click here to see the city’s public crime stats for the week of Jan. 17 – 23, 2012.

From Lt. Pat Lowery, PIO, Kent Police Department
253-856-5833

Kent Police to announce major break in Car Show shooting
Police Chief Thomas to release details at press conference Thursday

Kent, Washington, September 14, 2011 — Kent Police Chief Ken Thomas is inviting interested media to an 11 AM news conference on Thursday, September 15. At that time he will be updating the press regarding investigation of a gang-involved shooting that occurred at a local car show in late July. That shooting left twelve persons injured.

The news conference will be held at 23311 Pacific Highway South, the site of the shooting. Chief Thomas will be joined by regional law enforcement executives and City officials. He will announce a major breakthrough in the investigation and provide information about steps being taken to apprehend those involved.

The car show shooting took place on July 23. A physical disturbance led to several gang members firing guns into a large crowd of people. While many of those injured were gang members, several of the injured had no ties to gang activity but had merely come to view the cars.

Since those assaults, dozens of investigators have poured through evidence, surveillance video, and interviewed dozens of witnesses and victims in an effort to put together a clear picture of the events of that day. As a result, police are now working to capture those identified suspects.

“Law Enforcement agencies from throughout the region have dedicated significant resources to identify those involved in this incident and bring them to justice” noted Chief Thomas. “These arrests are just the first wave in an on-going effort to dismantle these violent gangs”. It’s anticipated that coordinated efforts spearheaded by the South King County Violent Gangs Initiative and other partnering agencies will bring additional arrests in the near future.

# # #

A 58 year old Kent man was shot and killed in downtown Kent by a three-year veteran of the Kent Police Department this morning. According to Federal Way Public Information Officer Cathy Schrock, the incident began before 9 am when the deceased asked a local cab driver to take him to various spots in the area. The cab driver discovered that the passenger had a long gun in his lap, and he became suspicious. The driver asked another cab driver to meet him near the transit center for back-up. Upon his arrival at the first cab’s location 301 Railroad Avenue North, the first cab driver exited his vehicle and and placed a call to 9-1-1 at 9:10 am.

A Kent police officer arrived on the scene near the Kent Transit Center approximately two minutes later. The suspect had exited the vehicle and his weapon was visible to the officer. The officer issued verbal commands to the suspect, who did not follow the orders. A second police offer arrived on the scene. When the suspect reached to his waist for the weapon, the first officer fired a shot, killing the man.

Schrock said the family of the deceased arrived at the scene following the incident and identified him. However, his name will not be disclosed to the public until the medical examiner releases it. In addition, the names of the Kent police officers who were involved in the incident were placed on administrative leave, protocol following officer-involved shootings. Their names will be disclosed in approximately 24 to 48 hours.

Shortly after the incident began, the Federal Way Police Department was called to the scene. They requested media support around 11 am. According to Schrock, requesting support from neighboring law enforcement departments is customary when a police officer is involved in a shooting.

Schrock said more information will be available Thursday or Friday. For more information, contact Schrock at piorequest@cityoffederalway.com.

Contributed by the Kent Police Department

Are you interested in starting a neighborhood blockwatch?

The Kent Police Department is hosting a city wide informational meeting on the benefits of starting and maintaining a neighborhood block watch.

Neighborhood Block Watch 101
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Kent City Hall Council Chambers

Why Attend?

• interested in starting a neighborhood block watch
• interested in re-starting an already formed block watch
• needing a refresher on maintaining a neighborhood block watch
• interested in hearing from other block watch captains and what has worked and what hasn’t
• interested in hearing about Kent crime trends and what residents can do to help prevent crime in their neighborhoods

What You Can Do Ahead of Time:

• find a neighbor or two to attend with you
• notify neighbors that you will be attending and bringing back information
• start mapping the neighborhood and forming a phone tree for each block watch (a block watch is 10-20 homes)

Please RSVP by April 8th to your Neighborhood Sector contact:

East Hill/Panther Lake Area: Stacy Judd at (253) 856-5883

Valley Area/West Hill: Sara Wood at (253) 856-5851

*This format is replacing individual neighborhood meetings. However, public education specialists will continue to visit block watches when crime trend concerns occur.

Kent residents are invited to learn more about their Police Department starting on April 20, 2011. The Community Police Academy is delivered in a series of classes that offer straightforward, candid information regarding daily and specialized operations of the Police Department, while defing the agency’s role in the community. Classes are held on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 p.m to 9:00p.m and are instructed by department members and civilian experts. There is a one Saturday session which will include tours of the City of Kent Corrections Center and the 9-1-1 facilities at Valley communications Center. After attending the first three classes, participants are also eligible for a ride-along with a Kent Police Officer. Classes are held at the Kent Police/Fire Training Center, 24611 116th Ave. SE in Kent.  A wide range of topics will be discussed to include patrol and traffic enforcement, detective and special investigations, SWAT, canine and other specialized Police functions. Thee will also be instruction on recruitment, hiring and training of Kent Police Officers. There is no cost for participating in the Community Police Academy. It is open to Adults 18 and over and you will need to pass a background check. Applications are available at the Kent Police Department, 220 4th Ave. S or the Kent Police Website at: www.ci.kent.wa.us/communitypoliceacademy. For general questions Please contact Cesi Velez at 253-856-5884.

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.

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.

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

The Kent Police Department is offering a Community Police Academy class on six Wednesdays, starting March 31st and ending May 5^th, 2010.   The Academy offers participants an excellent opportunity to learn more about the daily operations of the police department and its role in the community.

The classes will be from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., with an officer available for a question and answer session 30 minutes prior to the start of class. The academy will be held at the Police and Fire Training Center, 24611 116^th Ave SE in Kent. There is also a Saturday session, which will include tours of the City of Kent Corrections Facility and our dispatch operations at Valley Communications Center.

The 6-week curriculum includes topics such as officer recruitment and hiring, traffic enforcement, patrol functions, detectives and criminal investigations, SWAT, use of force policy, community education and the Neighborhood Response Team.  K-9 officers will demonstrate their K-9 partner’s abilities.  All questions will be answered.

Academy classes are taught by veteran police officers and supervisors. Participants will have the opportunity to meet with the Chief of Police and staff members. They are encouraged to ask questions and express ideas and concerns to police employees.

The academy is open to any adult (18+), living, working, or interested in the City of Kent and its police department.  There is no cost for attending.

Applications and information are available online at http://www.ci.kent.wa.us/police/ or call the Community Education Unit at 253-856-5838.

“This is an excellent opportunity for residents to gain insight into the day to day operations of the police department” said Sergeant Dina Paganucci. “We enjoy being able to interact with the community and answer any questions they have.”

City of Kent Police Department reported crime stats for the week of February 2 – 8, 2010.  Included in the stats are vehicle prowls, vehicle thefts, residential burglaries and commercial burglaries.

The report also includes crime prevention tips. In this week’s stats, readers are reminded how to identify a suspect:

“A key element to crime prevention is identifying a suspect. Here are some items the police department would utilize if you are witness to criminal activity: Male/Female, Height, Weight, Distinguishing features, Eye color, Skin color, Clothing, Birth marks, Accent in voice, Direction of individual, and any other details you can remember.”

January 9, 2010

KPD Update

I haven’t done a column in a while; since before Officer Brenton was murdered in Seattle, which of course was followed by the murder of four Lakewood officers and then the death of Deputy Mundell in Pierce County.  I have avoided writing anything about the events of the last two months because I don’t have anything profound or illuminating to say, and anything less would be trite.  To paraphrase Abraham Lincoln, any attempt to say something intelligent is “far above our poor power to add or detract.”  Now that we have entered the new (and hopefully quieter) year, I won’t attempt to be profound but I will share a few related comments and reflections.

In 24 years in law enforcement I have never seen anything quite like this.  Officer deaths occur, but are infrequent.  Not only the frequency and scope, but the acts themselves are overwhelming.  The attacks were not just on the officers, or the department, or the profession, but on the community.  The cold-blooded murder of Officers Brenton, Richards, Griswold, Owens, and Renninger was an attack on civilized society, and it crossed a line.  The astounding outpouring of emotion and support that followed, up to and including the response to the death of Deputy Mundell was in part because of that attack on society itself.  It is jarring and upsetting and shakes our collective beliefs.

In the past two months, we have seen public reaction which has occasionally included calls for some sort of action to “solve” this problem.  Some of these ideas are worth exploring and discussing, but we really should not attach them to the loss of these officers.  Banning guns, having more guns, reducing or increasing mental health treatment, making more laws – none of these, by themselves, will solve the problem.  In our society, the interplay between personal rights and public safety is just too complex, and there are no simple answers.

Here in Kent, we received countless cards and flowers at the department, and almost every officer has a story about someone here in Kent approaching them in a store or on a call, saying how much they appreciate their department and feel the loss of the officers.  We are all deeply appreciative of the support of those we serve.

After the past two months and attending too many funerals, I can offer only three observations that, I hope, will help us find some context.

First, one of our Kent Sergeants, right after the Lakewood shootings, was meeting with his group of officers and of course, lengthy discussion of the incident and our opinions followed.  This Sergeant is a top-notch police instructor, SWAT officer, and expert in officer safety.  Rather than focus only on caution and staying safe, he ended his briefing by assigning the officers a very specific mission:  pair up, go to a coffee shop, and talk to our residents.  They want to talk to us as much as we need to talk with them.  It’s easy for us to underestimate just how many truly good people there are all around us, but these tragic events brought that all out and made it abundantly clear.

Second, another observation was that the funerals for each of these officers, while formal and ceremonial and respectful, focused not on their heroism and their sacrifice, but rather on their humanity.  Each funeral highlighted their families and funny stories about their jobs.  There was no deification of anyone, only highlights of real people who had real experiences and faults.  They were human beings who loved their jobs and did the best they could.  Police officers are not good at drawing attention to themselves, and the basic humanity of each officer was what I really understood.

One of the most salient observations for me was that in every instance, the families of these fallen officers did not engage in any kind of blame, anger, or hostility.  It would be understandable if all of us wanted to focus on those who committed these acts, but the fact is, they weren’t even part of the discussion at the memorials.  Each funeral was about celebrating good people who lived worthwhile lives.  There was no recrimination or self-pity.  The funerals and memorials were not sad at all; they were recognition of people who lost their lives too soon, doing what they loved.

Finally, I came away thinking about the strong message that came from the children of Officer Greg Richards, who started his career right here at the Kent Police Department.  Their message was simple.  Greg was a good dad, and the best way to honor him, and each of the officers who gave their lives, is be a better mom or dad.  Be a better sister or brother, a better son or daughter.  Be a better friend.

Have a great week!
-Steve

Crime stats:

Download the Kent PD Crime Stats for the week of 8/18 – 8/24/09 here, including Vehicle Prowls, Vehicle Thefts, Residential Burglaries and Commercial Burglaries.

Crime update:

The Kent Police Department arrested a suspect responsible for at least 8 burglaries of downtown businesses. Over the past few months, there have been several smash and grab type of burglaries (suspect smashes a glass window or door to gain access to the business). The suspect, who lives within walking distance of the downtown area, was arrested last week.

As a reminder, to prevent these types of crimes, you can secure your business by purchasing security film that is installed in windows and on glass doors. Security film can be purchased at most window stores. Also, consider removing all large rocks or objects that can be used to throw through a window.  As always, continue to keep your eyes and ears open for suspicious activity and do not hesitate to call 911. Thank you for being partners in crime prevention!

Provided by the Kent Police Department on 8/26/09.

Kent Police Department is now live on Twitter.

Follow them here.

Last week the candidates for King County Executive came to a meeting of all the Chiefs in our county, and answered questions about criminal justice and how the county plays in the sandbox with others.  The comments from the candidates was illustrative of two things:  first, they seem to all agree that there have been public safety problems and we need to do a better job of serving the taxpayer; and second, jails are expensive and we need to balance incarceration with other alternatives.

Other cities in South King County are soon planning to break ground on a regional misdemeanor jail, and here in Kent we plan to update our existing jail and add new options for alternatives to incarceration.  Misdemeanor inmates are typically those convicted of theft, domestic abuse, drunk driving, or driving without a license.  By creating the right balance with serious and consequential options for those incarcerated, we can make our facility work both in terms of public safety and in terms of showing real respect to the taxpayer.

This brings me to my topic this week – work crews.  Over the next few months, we will be adding a completely new, and yet very old, concept to our municipal jail as a consequence for those who break the law.

Many jails, especially city jails, have only cells that hold people for a specified period of time.  Some jails add what is called “work release” which means inmates can be let out to go to work if they have a job, and then return each night to the jail to serve their time.  Others have unsupervised programs where inmate workers can work by themselves outside the facility.  In Kent, our municipal jail has these elements already in place.  During a typical week, our inmates do yard work at the jail grounds, wash police cars, work at the food bank, clean up the senior center, help manicure Tahoma Cemetery, and help set up the Kent Farmer’s Market on Saturdays.  In the next few months, we will be adding a new and significant option to sentences as well.

In order to help us manage our jail population and ensure we have room for the highest priority offenders, we will be utilizing supervised work crews.  It is a little like the movie “Cool Hand Luke” without the mirrored sunglasses.  A corrections officer will manage a group of inmates who will be completing tasks like weeding, cutting back blackberry bushes, covering over graffiti, and picking up trash along bike paths and boulevards.

There are a number of real benefits to a work crew.  A full day of work equals three days of incarceration for inmates with misdemeanor offenses.  Inmates can do something beneficial and serve their sentences in a shorter time, and get done in the community what may not be getting done currently.  Hard work is a more significant punishment for some people than is sitting in jail.  Finally and perhaps most importantly, there is a dignity in hard work that is the opposite of sitting in jail watching TV.  The fact is, offenders will all be getting out at some point and anything we can do to increase work ethic and a feeling of self-worth is beneficial, even if it is for a short time.

Our Mayor and City Council have been working hard with us on this issue to help us make our jail sustainable and effective over the long term, while still keeping costs to a minimum.  A variety of options for sentencing, and a balanced approach to dealing with offenders, is the best way to keep those costs down and achieve our mission of tough consequences for those who break the law.

March 23, 2009
KPD Update
If you’ve been to the new ShoWare Center to see a Thunderbirds game, you know between periods of the game short videos are shown on the big screen about the “green” components of the building. 
 
The videos highlight the City of Kent’s commitment to environmental awareness and not only show the construction elements, but also some of the day-to-day differences from any other building. 
 
The toilets are low-flow, the cups used in the concession stands are biodegradable, and much of the trash is recycled. ShoWare Center is the first arena in the country to be built under strict environmental standards, which are voluntary. It makes you pretty proud to be associated with Kent when you see these videos.
 
So, you may ask yourself, what is the police department doing in terms of our city’s commitment to the environment? Our Mayor and City Council have made Kent’s involvement as a “green” leader a priority. We don’t opt out of the conversation at all, or consider ourselves exempt from some of the expectations. 
 
In some places, a police department would simply assert that we are different, we are special and we cannot be expected to pay attention to the environment. While it is true that we will always need to have squad cars to respond to calls and emergencies, we still do what we can to reduce fuel use and emissions. And, it’s not as simple as getting hybrid cars or reducing the time the cars are idling.
 
For the past two years, all of the department’s new unmarked, non-patrol vehicles have been hybrids – Ford Escape and Chevrolet Malibu. These cars will be in our fleet for years and the benefits are not just the increased miles per gallon, particularly in the city where they are used the most, but also their reduced emissions. 
 
Whenever they are stopped in traffic or idling at a scene, they are on electric power and the engine is off. Even our Chevrolet Tahoe SUV squad cars, used for our K9 officers and for specialized uses, actually get a little better mileage than the standard Ford Crown Victoria cars, and they are equipped with flex fuel capability. Our City’s information technology department is working to deploy advanced computer batteries, so we don’t need to keep our cars idling to power the older-style batteries currently in use.
 
There is not a hybrid product available for patrol use yet, but we are waiting for the right product. I expect that sometime soon a manufacturer will come out with a vehicle that can attain higher speeds, power all those extra radios and computers while idling on electric power, and keep our officers safe in case of a crash. When that product comes out, a lot of officers will be driving those vehicles.
 
Another way we pay attention to the environment is by utilizing a high number of bicycle officers. While I cannot say the primary reason for our bike officers is environmental, the reduced use of fuel and lower emissions is a significant added benefit. The original addition of bike officers is tactical; it is the most effective way to deploy our officers in areas like downtown Kent and along the East and West Hill corridors. However, it’s easy to underestimate just how much of a “green” difference using bikes can make. 
 
Our fourth full-time bicycle team has just been added, and we now have a total of eight full-time bike officers. That means there are eight officers working all week who do not drive a car, who do not put over a hundred miles a day on a car, and whose daily work encourages and facilitates others to walk and bike on our streets and trails. We have doubled our bike teams in the past year.
 
Attention to the environment even extends to areas you may not expect. For example, Kent’s police department participates in a regional narcotics task force. One of the most important priorities for the task force is targeting and taking down large marijuana grow houses. 
 
Groups of criminals are buying houses in residential areas all over the Puget Sound to grow and distribute marijuana. As I have mentioned in this column before, our enforcement efforts are not focused primarily on personal use or the debate over small amounts of marijuana. Our efforts are more about fighting organized crime, as well as a side effect that will surprise some people. Grow houses are an environmental disaster. 
 
The criminals who set up grow houses start by trashing the inside of the home, then hijacking the electrical system so they don’t have to pay for the tremendous amounts of power used in the lighting. Then, they use chemicals to fertilize and grow the marijuana. When the grow houses are abandoned, as they often are, the chemicals are dumped both inside and outside the houses. 
 
Speeding wastes gas, as does illegal street racing. Illegal dumping often includes paint and chemicals dumped in the river by people who don’t care about either the environment or their community. When we help our city fight crime, often times we are also helping to keep our environment clean. Many of us have just never thought of it that way before.
 
Have a great week!
-Steve

Kent Police Chief Steve Strachan reports that 15 “johns” were arrested on Kent’s West Hill on Thursday, March 12, 2009 in a prostitution sting operation. This was one in a series of arrests in connection with reducing crime and prostitution in that area of Kent.

“Our neighborhood along Pacific Highway South deserves better, and that’s part of the initiative and that’s part of the message to change the paradigm,” says Kent Police Chief Steve Strachan.

For more information, please contact the Kent Police Department at (253) 856-5200. For the full story, see this clip from KING 5 TV.

Coming soon: regular updates from the Kent Police and Fire Departments right here!