Thurston County, WA – A chaotic scene unfolded Wednesday night after an armed suspect led Thurston County deputies and Washington State Patrol troopers on a pursuit along I-5. When the vehicle came to a stop, shooting commenced.

The Washington State Patrol press release indicated that “shots were fired” while trying to take the suspect into custody.

Thurston County Sheriff’s Office K9 Arlo was struck twice. He was taken to a veterinary hospital and is expected to survive. A GoFundMe has been started to pay for his medical bills.

The 25-year-old driver was shot at least once. He was also taken to the hospital in serious [...]

Seattle, WA – There is little debate against the fact that drugs and mental health illness is the main problem for homelessness as well as many criminal activity in many major cities, including Seattle. One reporter with KOMO News, Eric Johnson, has presented a logical and obtainable solution to the problem.

In a documentary called “Fight for the Soul of Seattle,” Johnson thoroughly documents the homelessness, drugs, prostitution, and despair that plagues the city streets. Then he presents a solution he has called Hope Haven. Hope Haven is a two-facet involuntary holding facility for those in mental health or addiction crisis. One side is maximum security [...]

Yakima, WA – On Tuesday afternoon, two Yakima Police Officers were run over by a fleeing suspect vehicle.

The officers responded to the Walmart on East Chestnut Street to investigate a report of a stolen vehicle. Citizens called in saying they recognized that the pickup truck was one that was stolen during a robbery last week.

The officers attempted to talk with the two suspects inside the car, when the car drove off, running both officers over in the process.

It’s reported that at least one officer fired his weapon as the vehicle passed, but it’s not believed that he made contact with the car.

Both officers are listed in serious but [...]

Washington State – Agencies all around Washington are exploring different ways to get mental health professionals involved in calls involving subjects in mental health crisis or with a substance abuse issue.

SPOKANE:

The Spokane Police Department, Spokane Valley Police Department, and Spokane County Sheriff’s Office have recently been praised by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) for their co-deployed behavioral health teams. WASPC shared their compiled data that showed Spokane had a successful November as far as keeping those in crisis or facing substance issues out of jails.

The three Spokane agencies mentioned work [...]