More police on lake and in city park
Published 10:34 am Thursday, December 11, 2008
By Dennis Box-The Courier-Herald
As the warmer days of summer near, the Bonney Lake Police Department is preparing for increased enforcement on and around the lake.
Chief of Police Mike Mitchell said two officers are over in the Tri-Cities receiving training for lake patrol.
The patrols hours on the lake increased from 69 in 2005 to nearly 200 in 2006, and the hours will jump again this year.
“We are going to be on the lake more hours and at varied times,” Mitchell said. “We are also plan to increase enforcement at Allan Yorke Park.”
Last year there were a numerous issues with groups of teenagers, fighting and other problems with crime that marred the summer days at the park.
“I want people to feel confident that Allan Yorke Park is a family park,” Mitchell said.
The marine service unit will not only patrol the lake, but will also teach water safety classes at schools and other venueso.
The department will schedule the boat patrol later at night this year. Last year there was one collision on the lake where a person was critically injured and one where a person was killed.
After dark there has been a problem with people driving their boats at high speeds.
Dennis Box can be reached at dbox@cmg-northwest2.go-vip.net/courierherald.
