The numbers are in, and the Bellevue Family 4th was a resounding success. City officials estimate that more than 60,000 people gathered in Bellevue Downtown Park for the 4th of July festivities. The daylong celebration included musical entertainment, a food court, a dance party and of course the fireworks extravaganza.
What the celebration didn’t include . . . trouble. According to police reports, there were no incidents that required law enforcement attention. Officers were visible throughout the event, talking with residents and many handed out stickers to kids.
Bellevue’s brand-new online fireworks was also a hit. Residents logged in 153 reports of illegal fireworks online and through the MyBellevue app. Dedicated police and fire patrols issued five citations, three written warnings, and countless verbal warnings. Bellevue’s dispatch center, NORCOM, saw a slight reduction in calls over last year. Moving forward, the department will evaluate the data and strategize ways to improve the system for next year.