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BPD is proud to announce K-9 Master Handler J. Woodward & PSD Rudy earned their certification for the detection of fentanyl. They are one of the first teams to earn this certification, along with @whatcomsheriff Deputy Streubel & K-9 Apex and Deputy Taddonio & K-9 Luca.
#bp176
UPDATE: 8:00 p.m., Lakeway Drive is back open, collision cleared. Thank you for your patience. DUI crash, still investigating. #bp176
🚨Public Alert🚨
BPD Patrol Division is investigating a crash in the 3700 block of Lakeway. Both east & west bound lanes of Lakeway are closed until the crash is cleared. The closure is between Bonanza Way and Birch Street.
Please avoid the area. Wil update when open.
#bp176
🚨Public Alert🚨
BPD Patrol Division is investigating a crash in the 3700 block of Lakeway. Both east & west bound lanes of Lakeway are closed until the crash is cleared. The closure is between Bonanza Way and Birch Street.
Please avoid the area. Wil update when open.
#bp176
3/3: Happy New Year from Mayor Lund and all of us at the City of Bellingham. We’re looking forward to a healthy and joyful 2024!
Bellingham Police will face off against Bellingham Fire for the Third Annual Turkey Bowl flag football game next week in hopes of retaining our trophy. It should be as easy as pie… we mashed them like potatoes last year! But there is always a chance they`ll make turkeys out of us... Come to Civic Field on Tuesday, November 26th, to see which team goes home with singed tail feathers. The off-duty employees kick off at high noon.
Bellingham Police Department hosted a three-day Forensic Ultraviolet & Infrared Photography course last week. The course, taught by North Carolina-based Tri-Tech Forensics, trained our crime scene investigators to utilize their specialized photography equipment to capture evidence that cannot be documented using visible light.
Prior to the training, the Crime Scene Investigations Unit converted one of its cameras to capture and record infrared light. The camera and hands-on training greatly expand our crime scene investigators’ capabilities to process a wider variety of evidence in-house.
All evidence items requiring ultraviolet and infrared examinations and documentation previously needed to be sent to other agencies for processing, which drastically slows the investigative process. Our investigators are now able to identify and document bloodstain evidence on pattern surfaces, visualize gunshot residue on materials, and examine documents and receipts to read faded or forged text, among other tasks without days or weeks passing. With these new skills, investigators can work more thoroughly through crime scenes to better serve victims and survivors in our community.
Tri-Tech Forensics Instructor Heidi Nichols taught the training. She is a Certified Forensic Photographer (CFPH) with the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office. The course instruction is world-class. It is an approved course by the International Association for Identification for those seeking to become certified internationally. Crime scene investigators from the Michigan State Police, Los Angeles Police Department, Seattle Police Department, Tacoma Police Department, New Westminster Police Department (Canada), and Danish Police National Forensic Services traveled to Bellingham to join our officers in the training.
In October, 39-year-old Margaret “Gracie” King was reported missing by a concerned family member who lost contact with Gracie six months ago. Gracie was last known to be in Bellingham as recently as mid-September. It is suspected she is living in the community unhoused. Gracie is 5’4” and weighs approximately 120 lbs. She has hazel eyes and was last known to have long brown hair. If you see Gracie, or have any information regarding her whereabouts, please make a report to 360-676-6911 or online at www.cob.org/tips. (Case number 24B60974.)
On November 14, 2024, at approximately 8:00 p.m., Bellingham Police responded to an apartment complex in the 500 block of Sterling Drive after receiving multiple 911 calls reporting gunshots with an injured person.
Officers arrived on scene within minutes. Additional resources arrived quickly due to an extra emphasis patrol that had been pre-planned due to previous reports of gunshots fired in the area. The most recent incidents occurred between 11/12/2024 and 11/9/2024. Suspect(s) or probable cause have not yet been established to arrest anyone for those incidents.
Responding Bellingham Police units quickly located a single victim who suffered multiple gunshot wounds. Officers rendered medical aid until Bellingham Emergency Medical Services transported the victim to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center. The victim remains in critical condition.
Surveillance video footage was obtained from the apartment complex. It shows the victim walking toward his residence carrying groceries when they collapse. Multiple muzzle flashes can be seen above the victim, indicating the suspect shot the victim multiple times as they tried to crawl away.
During the investigation, a 19-year-old Bellingham man was contacted in the apartment that he shares with the victim. A search warrant was obtained for a search of the apartment. During the search, a small safe was located. Police Service Dog Raven, trained to detect explosives and firearms, alerted on the safe. Amendments to the search warrant were granted allowing Crime Scene Investigators to open the safe. A 9 mm handgun, consistent with evidence located at the scene, was located inside the safe.
Based on the investigation, probable cause was established to arrest the roommate for Attempted Murder in the 1st Degree (DV).
Investigations are ongoing for the attempted murder and the previous shots fired reports. Detectives are still seeking additional information regarding all these incidents. Contact Det. Mitchelson or Det. Hauri at 360-778-8611. Tips can also be submitted online at www.cob.org/tips.
Thank you to the WSP Troopers and WCSO Deputies who came to the scene to assist our detectives and officers.
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On November 14, 2024, at approximately 8:00 p.m., Bellingham Police responded to an apartment complex in the 500 block of Sterling Drive after receiving multiple 911 calls reporting gunshots with an injured person.
Officers arrived on scene within minutes. Additional resources arrived quickly due to an extra emphasis patrol that had been pre-planned due to previous reports of gunshots fired in the area. The most recent incidents occurred between 11/12/2024 and 11/9/2024. Suspect(s) or probable cause have not yet been established to arrest anyone for those incidents.
Responding Bellingham Police units quickly located a single victim who suffered multiple gunshot wounds. Officers rendered medical aid until Bellingham Emergency Medical Services transported the victim to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center. The victim remains in critical condition.
Surveillance video footage was obtained from the apartment complex. It shows the victim walking toward his residence carrying groceries when they collapse. Multiple muzzle flashes can be seen above the victim, indicating the suspect shot the victim multiple times as they tried to crawl away.
During the investigation, a 19-year-old Bellingham man was contacted in the apartment that he shares with the victim. A search warrant was obtained for a search of the apartment. During the search, a small safe was located. Police Service Dog Raven, trained to detect explosives and firearms, alerted on the safe. Amendments to the search warrant were granted allowing Crime Scene Investigators to open the safe. A 9 mm handgun, consistent with evidence located at the scene, was located inside the safe.
Based on the investigation, probable cause was established to arrest the roommate for Attempted Murder in the 1st Degree (DV).
Investigations are ongoing for the attempted murder and the previous shots fired reports. Detectives are still seeking additional information regarding all these incidents. Contact Det. Mitchelson or Det. Hauri at 360-778-8611. Tips can also be submitted online at www.cob.org/tips.
Thank you to the WSP Troopers and WCSO Deputies who came to the scene to assist our detectives and officers. ... See MoreSee Less
21 CommentsComment on Facebook
Thank you BPD. I was wondering what the sirens were about.
All the treats for Raven!! Good doggie. 💕 Glad you all found the guy without incident.
Another fine job by Law Enforcement !!
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Thank you to the panelists and those of you who participated in the Zoom meeting!
Original post: There is still time to register for tonight's discussion about the differences between 911 and 988! Go to www.namiwhatcom.org to register. The panel discussion is tonight (November 14, 2024) from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Tonight's panel features What-Comm 911 Deputy Director of Operations Alysn Everbeck, 988 Services Volunteers of America Director Courtney Colwell, and Whatcom County Response Division's Malora Christensen. The panel will also address needed improvements and current challenges facing 988 system both in Whatcom County and Washington State. ... See MoreSee Less
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
I'm bummed I had to work late and missed it.
Bad link. Don't click on it.
Want to learn more about the differences between 911 and 988? You can participate in a panel discussion Zoom meeting. The Zoom meeting is November 14, 2024, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The registration link can be found at www.namiwhatcom.org.
The discussion will focus on the similarities and differences in mental health crisis communication between 911 and 988, as well as Whatcom County's crisis response capabilities. ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentComment on Facebook
911 is to report URGENT ISSUES which will enter the on-duty officer triage queue, this includes EMS and the Fire Department. Using 911 for non-emergency calls may increase the response time for someone who is in dire need of assistance. Seconds count and the time it takes someone at dispatch to transfer someone with a minor issue might be crucial for someone else. Please reserve 911 for issues requiring immediate assistance. If you're not sure which category suits your needs, that's what the meeting is for. 988 is to speak with someone who is trained specifically to help with mental disorders, which can also be urgent but an officer may not need to be there physically with you. Sometimes just hearing someone else is helpful, grounding, and transformative. Your current distress is familiar to many people outside of the Bellingham Police Department as well, and a bunch of those people are available at 988. "At the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, we understand that life's challenges can sometimes be difficult. Whether you're facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to, our caring counselors are here for you. You are not alone." - 988lifeline.org/ 911 is best saved for an emergency, life-threatening or active criminal activity. To save the operators time and keep the lines clear for EMS, please use the non-emergency line for reporting any less time sensitive issues: 360-676-6911 In summary: Bleeding out: 911 Toaster by the bathtub: 988 Skateboarders messing up "your" concrete: 360-676-6911 See someone breaking into a house: 911 Uncontrollable fear of someone breaking into your house: 988 Someone suspicious walked by but didn't commit a crime: 360-676-6911 House burning down: 911 Thinking about burning a house down: 988 Saw the remains of a fire pit in the woods: 360-676-6911 For non-human animal issues which do not fall into the above categories: "If you are aware of an animal being abused or neglected, please call our Animal Control Office at 360-733-2080 , ext #3017." - www.whatcomhumane.org/services/ Call 867-5309 for Jenny And call your mom and other loved ones more often, they probably want to hear from you. Voices are better to listen to than texts.
The Bellingham Police Department is proud to employ many former and current service members. We are honored they continue to serve with us. Thank you to all our Veterans, today and every day. ... See MoreSee Less
7 CommentsComment on Facebook
Thank you guys for your support! Thank you for all you do as well. You put your lives on the line daily to protect the community!
Thank you for your service to our country!
Thank you all for your time and service.
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