School Begins This Thursday, Please Walk and Drive Safely

When students in the Bellevue School District start the 2018-2019 school year on Thursday, Aug. 30, there will be some new traffic patterns to accompany the district’s first brand new – non-replacement – school in 46 years. But the message remains the same from Bellevue Police and Transportation officials, who work with the school district. They want to make sure students, parents and commuters get to their destinations safely.

School1
The Wilburton Elementary School, located at 12300 Main Street, is Bellevue’s first new non-replacement school in 46 years.

The new facility is Wilburton Elementary, located at 12300 Main St., near both Wilburton Hill Park and the Bellevue Botanical Garden. The last non-replacement school built was Somerset Elementary School in 1972. Work on some streets and sidewalks is still wrapping up, so adults and children traveling near Wilburton need to be extra cautious. With the new facility comes a new 20 mile per hour school speed zone on 124th Avenue NE as well as Main Street in front of the school. Motorists should be prepared to slow to 20 miles per hour when the school speed zone lights are flashing.

Also of transportation note is BellevueSchoolPool, now in its third year. The program is an effort to reduce traffic congestion around district schools by facilitating carpooling, biking and walking to school. It’s a partnership between the district, city, King County and TransManage, the Bellevue Downtown Association’s transportation arm.

Bellevue Police remind motorists that when yellow lights are flashing in school speed zones, the speed limit is reduced to 20 mph. In other school zones, the 20-mph limit is in effect when children are present, so be prepared to slow down and watch out for students. Also, remember to stop for school buses when lights are flashing or the stop sign is out — or be prepared to pay a substantial fine. The city’s photo enforcement cameras will operate during times lights are flashing at Odle Middle School, Lake Hills Elementary School and Sunset Elementary School.

Here are some safety tips for drivers and pedestrians from the Bellevue Police Department:

  • Slow down in school zones. The stopping distance of a vehicle traveling 30 mph is nearly twice the stopping distance of a vehicle traveling 20 mph.
  • Pay attention while driving. Washington’s distracted driving law makes it illegal to use a handheld personal electronic device while driving, even when stopped at a traffic sign or signal or stuck in traffic. Fines are moving violations that are reported to insurance companies.
  • Watch for pedestrians when entering a school driveway or turning a corner.
  • Stop for children and other pedestrians getting on and off school buses. It’s unlawful to pass a school bus when the red lights are flashing.
  • Stop behind the crosswalk at intersections to allow room for pedestrians. Pedestrians should use crosswalks and cross with the crossing sign or light.
  • If your kids walk to school, make sure they know the rules of the road and your expectations.

Bellevue Police Arrest Man After Several Overnight Fires in Bellevue, Redmond

At 12:45 a.m. this morning, Bellevue Police and Fire responded to reports of several dumpster fires in the area of the 14700 block of NE 20th Street in Bellevue. Officers arrived in the area and located several dumpsters in the area that were burning.  Continue reading “Bellevue Police Arrest Man After Several Overnight Fires in Bellevue, Redmond”

Three Arrested After Robbery Spree in Bellevue

Investigators with the Bellevue Police Department have arrested three suspects that are believed to have been involved in a robbery spree that took place in Bellevue late last week. On Thursday, August 9, Bellevue Police responded to three separate robbery reports. All three instances involved female victims that were walking in the parking lots of busy retail centers. In each case, the suspects would approach the victims on foot and forcibly ripped necklaces off of the victims’ necks before escaping to a waiting getaway car.

Immediately following the series of robberies, Bellevue Police Detectives began working with investigators with the Bellevue Police Special Operations Group to identify and locate the involved suspects.

On Saturday, August 11, Bellevue Police detectives with the assistance of the Bellevue Police SWAT team, arrested one suspect, an 18-year-old male Bellevue Resident at a residence he had been staying at in the Lake Hills neighborhood of Bellevue. Today, investigators, again with the assistance of the Bellevue SWAT team, located and arrested the two remaining suspects, a 16-year-old male Covington resident and a 22-year-old female Federal Way resident. All three suspects were interviewed by Detectives and were later booked into the King County Jail and the King County Youth Detention facility. All three were arrested for suspicion of second degree robbery.

Bellevue Police are asking anyone that believes they may have been a victim of these individuals to contact police to make a report.

 

Bellevue Police Chief Placed on Paid Administrative Leave

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, Aug. 3, 2018

 CONTACT: Lenka Wright, Chief Communications Officer, 425-452-4090 or lwright@bellevuewa.gov

Bellevue Police Chief Placed on Paid Administrative Leave

Assistant Police Chief Patrick Arpin to Serve as Acting Police Chief

BELLEVUE, Wash. – Bellevue Police Chief Steve Mylett has been placed on paid administrative leave, effective Thursday, Aug. 2.

Following standard City of Bellevue policy, the city took this action due to allegations reported to the Bothell Police Department against Chief Mylett. The report stems from an alleged incident in Bothell more than one year ago.

Bellevue City Manager Brad Miyake has appointed Assistant Police Chief Patrick Arpin to serve as acting police chief.

“Whenever there is a criminal investigation underway involving a police department employee, it is our policy to place the employee on administrative leave,” Miyake said. “We took immediate action when we learned of the allegation. The City of Bellevue takes such allegations very seriously. To ensure a fair and thorough process for everyone involved, we will not provide further comment prior to the completion of the internal and external investigations.”

In addition to the Bothell Police Department’s investigation, the City of Bellevue will conduct an internal investigation, led by the Human Resources Department and City Attorney’s Office, with assistance from an outside investigator.

 ###

 

Bellevue Police Investigating Stabbing, Arson

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, July 31, 2018

CONTACT: Officer Tory Mangione, VMangione@bellevuewa.gov or 425-766-2092

Update on Saturday’s stabbing incident

BELLEVUE, Wash. – Bellevue Police Department detectives continue to investigate Saturday’s violent attack on two Bellevue residents at their home, located on the 16200 block of SE 31st Street. The victims are recovering at Harborview Medical Center after receiving severe stab wounds. The suspect, a 40-year-old woman, will make her second court appearance on Wednesday.

An interview with the female victim on Monday confirmed the suspect was invited to stay at the victims’ house as a houseguest. She had resided on the property over the past several weeks. Prior to her meeting the victims, the suspect had been experiencing homelessness.

Approximately 5 p.m. on July 28, Bellevue Police and Fire responded to a report of a stabbing in progress. Police arrived within two minutes and located a 76-year-old female bleeding in the street. The husband, an 83-year-old male, was found inside the residence, also suffering from multiple knife wounds. Officers provided lifesaving first aid. At some point prior to the attack, the suspect attempted to set several fires within the home.

Police were quickly able to locate the suspect who was attempting to leave the scene on foot. Officers noted she appeared to be under the influence of an unknown substance.

Detectives plan on conducting more interviews associated with the case, as the investigation continues. It is still unknown what the motive was for the suspect’s alleged crimes.

###

This evening at 5:00 p.m., Bellevue Police and Fire responded to a report of a stabbing in progress at a residence in the 16200 block of SE 31st Street. Police arrived within two minutes and located a 76-year-old female bleeding in the street. Officers provided lifesaving first aid. Arriving Officers also located a 40-year-old female attempting to leave the scene on foot.

Continue reading “Bellevue Police Investigating Stabbing, Arson”