After a successful trial run in 2021, the city of Bellevue will begin deploying a Community Crisis Assistance Team to provide specialized support to people in crisis.
Made up of specially trained police officers and mental health professionals from the Fire Department’s CARES (Community Advocates for Referral and Education Services) program, the CCAT will likely mean fewer arrests and hospitalizations in Bellevue for a frequent kind of emergency call.
As the number of behavioral health calls continue to rise around the country, the city recognized the need for a more comprehensive approach than traditional responses such as arrest or hospitalization. After exploring various response models in the CCAT pilot in 2021, Police and Fire adopted a co-responder model.
The CCAT team will provide specialized support for persons in crisis
Unlike standard patrol units, the CCAT is given the flexibility to invest as much time as needed to listen and problem-solve with individuals in crisis. The team then can discern whether the person in crisis would benefit most from speaking to an officer or a mental health professional. The CCAT can provide connections to relevant resources.
After the 2021 pilot showed more people diverted from jails or hospitals and a drop in the number of times force was used when the CCAT approach was used, the City Council approved funding for CCAT in the 2023-24 budget.
The Bellevue Police Department is pleased to announce the resounding success of its first-ever police youth camp, an innovative initiative designed to cultivate positive relationships between law enforcement and the youth of our community. With a focus on community engagement, the camp fostered positive interactions between Bellevue Police Officers and the young participants.
The Bellevue Police Youth Camp, which was held last week at the Bellevue public safety training center, represented a significant step forward in the department’s ongoing commitment to build relationships between law enforcement and the younger generation.
This 3-day event involving 31 participants provided youth with an immersive experience in the world of policing, and facilitated meaningful discussions and team-building activities that contributed to mutual understanding and respect between camp participants and the involved Officers and staff.
Youth camp participants learn about the King County Guardian One helicopter
Throughout the camp, participants, who were 11 to 14-year-old residents of Bellevue, had the unique opportunity to delve into the responsibilities and intricacies of police work. The youth participants gained valuable insights into the multifaceted nature of law enforcement and its essential role in maintaining a safe community. For example, participants conducted practical exercises involving a variety of police functions, including fingerprint analysis, evidence collection, police press releases, courtroom testimony, and first aid.
Forensic Technician Aleah Moe explains the process of fingerprint identification to youth camp participants
A standout feature of the camp was the genuine and positive interactions that occurred between police officers and the campers. Officers served as mentors, offering guidance, insights, and support in an approachable manner. This allowed for the development of authentic relationships founded on trust, which in turn dispelled misconceptions and facilitated meaningful connections.
Youth camp participants receive defensive tactics instruction from Officers
The remarkable success of the camp was made possible by the joint efforts of the Bellevue Police Department, the Bellevue Police Foundation, King County Sheriff’s Guardian 1, Bellevue Fire Department, and Bellevue Police Volunteers. As the event concluded, the department expressed its commitment to continuing this initiative through various programs that ensure ongoing engagement with Bellevue’s youth throughout the year. The Bellevue Police Department is planning on hosting additional youth camps in the future. Keep an eye out for these opportunities on the Department’s Facebook Page. The Bellevue Police Department also hosts the community academy for adults. The community academy is a 12-week program for Bellevue residents and those who work in Bellevue to become acquainted with how their police department operates.
The Bellevue Police Department is issuing an urgent reminder to all drivers, with a special emphasis on delivery drivers, to refrain from leaving their vehicles running and unattended, following a recent series of vehicle thefts during delivery activities. This precautionary message aims to curb criminal activities and ensure the safety of our community members. In two recent incidents on July 28th and August 13th, delivery drivers in Bellevue fell victim to vehicle thefts when they left their cars unattended with engines running. In both cases, drivers returned to their vehicles only to discover a suspect inside, with the alarming escalation that a firearm was displayed by the suspect in both instances. These events serve as an important reminder that such negligence can not only lead to financial loss but also jeopardize personal safety. Bellevue Police Captain Joe Nault emphasized the importance of responsible vehicle management, stating, “Leaving your vehicle running and unattended, even for a brief moment, can inadvertently facilitate criminal activities. We urge all drivers, especially delivery personnel, to exercise caution and adopt proactive measures to prevent such incidents from occurring.” The Bellevue Police Department recommends the following safety tips to mitigate the risk of vehicle theft:
Turn Off and Secure Your Vehicle: Always turn off the engine and lock your vehicle when exiting, even for a short period. Unattended running vehicles can be tempting targets for opportunistic criminals.
Take Your Keys: Never leave your keys in the ignition, even if you intend to return quickly. It takes only seconds for a thief to take advantage of an unattended vehicle.
Stay Vigilant: Be aware of your surroundings and report any suspicious activity to the authorities promptly. Your observations can contribute to the safety of the community.
Use Remote Start Systems Wisely: If your vehicle has a remote start feature, ensure you are within a safe distance and maintain a line of sight while your vehicle warms up.
Communicate with Your Employer: If you are a delivery driver, communicate with your employer about safety protocols and guidelines for securing your vehicle during deliveries. By adhering to these guidelines, we can collectively create a safer environment for all residents and help deter criminal activities. The Bellevue Police Department remains committed to working closely with the community to prevent incidents of this nature and ensure the security of all residents and visitors.
The injured Bellevue motorcycle officer is currently in critical condition and in intensive care at Harborview Medical Center. 39-year-old Kevin Bereta sustained multiple injuries after an incident where he was ejected off his motorcycle, which caused him to fall off the Michigan St. on-ramp onto the southbound lanes of I-5. Officer Bereta was riding as part of the Vice President’s motorcade during her Seattle visit when the accident occurred Tuesday afternoon.
Officer Bereta joined the Bellevue Police Department in January 2018 and transferred to the Traffic Division as a motorcycle officer in 2020.
Vice President Kamala Harris called Bellevue Police Chief Wendell Shirley to check on Officer Bereta and to express her concern for him and his family.
The Washington State Patrol is investigating this incident.
Bellevue Police arrested a 42-year-old Maple Valley man on sex trafficking charges after a 15-year-old girl told them she was forced to provide sex for clients at his home and other locations. Detectives served a search warrant at Tony Eldridge’s home in the 22500 block of SE 218th St in Maple Valley on August 3, 2023. Following a three-hour standoff, Eldridge surrendered, was taken into custody, and booked into jail. King County Prosecutors charged Eldridge with Human Trafficking, Promoting Commercial Sexual Abuse of a Minor, Rape of a Child, and three counts of Promoting Prostitution. He is being held on $500,000 bail. Detectives seized his car as it was allegedly used during the crimes.
Officers recovered the 15-year-old victim on July 1, 2023, when they responded to a disturbance in the 11000 block NE 8th St in Bellevue. During the investigation, officers learned the girl was staying with Eldridge in what prosecutors described as a brothel in his Maple Valley home. Detectives accuse Eldridge of sexually and physically abusing the child and profiting from her commercial sexual exploitation.
Detectives discovered Eldridge is a registered sex offender in Multnomah County, Oregon, having been convicted of Promoting Prostitution in 2013.
Eldridge is scheduled for arraignment on August 17, 2023.
Bellevue and Kirkland police are investigating three overnight smash-and-grab burglaries. Bellevue officers responded to a collision report shortly after 6 am where a truck struck a building in the 900 block of 160th Ave NE. On scene, officers learned the collision was intentional, involving five suspects, four men and a woman, all in their 20s. The driver backed the truck into the business and entered the store. All the suspects had fled the scene by the time officers arrived.
Kirkland Burglary
The stolen green pickup truck was the same vehicle suspected in two similar burglaries in Kirkland. In one of the burglaries, a suspect fired a weapon to be able to enter the business in the 12500 block of NE 85th St. The other burglary occurred approximately 10 minutes later at 1:44 am in the 400 block of Central Way.
Detectives say the suspects are considered armed and dangerous. You are asked to call the police non-emergency number at 425-577-5656 if you have any information about these burglaries.
UPDATE: Officers arrested the suspect last night as he was observed pulling on door handles to businesses downtown. During an interview with detectives, he confessed to all six robberies. We still urge business owners to take precautions to protect their businesses.
Investigators are urging businesses to lock up cash and post signs stating there’s no cash on the premises following six burglaries at downtown businesses from July 19-24. Detectives believe a single suspect is responsible for the break-ins. In each case, the suspect wore all-black clothing, a facemask, and a cross-body bag. He smashed in the front doors and stole cash. The suspect approached the small independent businesses along Main Street and Bellevue Way on foot between 2-3 a.m. Detectives believe he may have staged a car to flee the area.
“We urge businesses to lock up all cash, deposit it or remove it from the premises,” said Investigations Captain Joe Nault. “It’s also a good idea to prominently post that there is no cash in the business. If possible, invest in a security alarm and camera system. You don’t want to be an easy victim.”
If you have any information about these burglaries or the suspect, please call the police non-emergency number 425-577-5656 or email BPDTips@belleveuwa.gov.
Officers conducted a welfare check at an apartment in the 11100 block of NE 11th St. on Friday afternoon. When they entered the residence, they discovered three adults, two women and a man, dead of an apparent drug overdose.
“This tragic loss of life is a reminder that most drugs on the market contain deadly fentanyl,” warned Major Mark Tarantino. “Fentanyl is extremely dangerous, and a tiny amount can be deadly.”
Detectives recovered four ghost-guns and discovered a 3D printer when they arrested a 24-year-old man suspected of firing shots out the window of a car in the 11600 Block NE 8th St. on May 27, 2023. The King County Prosecutor has charged Romeo Plummer with Drive-by Shooting in connection with the incident. Luckily, no one was injured.
Investigators say Plummer was in a car with several others when there was a verbal altercation with a man at the gas station. As the car left the gas station, witnesses say Plummer fired multiple times out the window. It is unclear who or what the target was.
Bellevue detectives quickly identified the driver of the car, which led them to the suspect. While serving a search warrant at Plummer’s Seattle residence, detectives located the four ghost guns, the 3D printer, ammunition and other evidence linking Plummer to the shooting.
“Ghost guns are unregulated and untraceable. That means more and more are on the streets that nobody knows about,” stated Capt. Shelby Shearer. “That is extremely dangerous and problematic for law enforcement.”
Officers also arrested the 21-year-old driver and charges are pending against her.
Bellevue Police and Bellevue Fire responded to three separate fires over the Fourth of July and into the weekend; at least two appear to be fireworks related. On July 5, someone used fireworks to cause extensive damage to the bathrooms at Surrey Downs Park in the 11100 Block of SE 4th St.
On July 8, someone set a fire on the roof at the Puesta Del Sol Elementary School. It’s unknown what caused that fire, but fireworks debris was located at the scene.
The third fire occurred on July 9 on the Phantom Lake Elementary School playground. The blaze destroyed the playground equipment.
“We are asking anyone who saw anything or has any information about these fires to please give us a call,” said Captain Rob Spingler. “Not only did we see tens of thousands of dollars in damage with these fires, but it’s also incredibly dangerous, and we’re lucky no one was injured.”
The region is tinder dry following a hot and dry weather stretch, which can cause fire to spread rapidly. Embers from a fire can float through the air and spark new fires far from the original incident. “We urge people to use extreme caution with any recreational fires,” cautioned Deputy Fire Chief Andy Adolfson. “We highly encourage those close to forested areas and wildlands to take preventative measures by removing brush and other combustibles from around homes and other structures.”
Anyone with any information about the three recent fires is urged to call the police non-emergency number at 425-452-6917 with any information.
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