ID Theft case

On December 17^th at approximately 2225 hours, a Fife Police Department K-9 Officer spotted a vehicle that he recognized as being a suspect vehicle in a burglary in the City of Edgewood.  The officer contacted the occupants of the vehicle in an attempt to identify possible suspects in the Edgewood burglary.  The male and female occupants both lied about their names and were taken into custody.  The male was found to have methamphetamine in his pocket as well as multiple identifications.  The female told the officer that there was a gun and felony drugs inside the vehicle before she claimed to have swallowed an amount of heroin and had to be transported to the hospital. 

 Fife Detectives served a search warrant on the vehicle, a silver 2006 Dodge Charger,  and found evidence linking it to the burglary in Edgewood as well as a handgun stolen in a burglary in Auburn.  Detectives also located numerous items of stolen mail from what they believe may belong to as many as 200 victims through Pierce and King Counties.  Detectives also believe that the male may have used one of his false identifications to purchase a vehicle in Federal Way. 

 The male was booked into Pierce County Jail for possession of stolen property, identity theft, unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of a controlled substance.  Detectives are continuing their investigation and are attempting to contact owners of the stolen mail. 

Tow companies, volunteers and cops team up to keep holiday roads safe

Press release from Pierce County:

 

Law enforcement officers who began removing impaired drivers from Pierce County roads Thanksgiving Day are urging potential drinking drivers to call taxis and line-up sober designated drivers again this weekend.

 The Tacoma Pierce County DUI and Traffic Safety Task Force will conduct a “Night of a Thousand Stars” enforcement this Saturday night, Dec. 14, midway through a statewide five-week holiday crackdown on drunk drivers and in conjunction with its local Tow and Go and Home Safe Bar programs. 

 The effort, hosted by the Fife Police Department, will involve more than two dozen officers, deputies and troopers who will hunt for impaired drivers on high-fatality and injury roads in and around the city of Fife, including Interstate 5, beginning at 8:30 p.m. Ten towing companies will be on hand to offer free tows for drivers who have had too much to drink at a bar beginning Saturday night and through New Year’s Eve. And to discourage over-serving and assist patrons in lining up sober rides home, a combined citizen and law enforcement Home Safe Bar team also will be out bar-hopping.

 Greg Dreiling, owner of Liberty Towing in University Place and coordinator of the Tow and Go program, said bar patrons need merely to ask their participating bartender for help calling for a tow. Approximately 200 bars and taverns in the county are being given information about the program, including a list of participating towers in their area prepared to offer up to 10-mile free tows and rides home.

 “Drivers have options to avoid being arrested this weekend,” said Lt. Kevin Farris of the Fife Police Department. “We hope they won’t throw their chances of escaping arrest out the window by trying to make it home undetected after a night of drinking.”

 “It’s amazing how many people think they can outfox a breathalyzer,” said John Cheesman, Chief of the Fircrest Police Department and Chairman of the Tacoma Pierce County DUI and Traffic Safety Task Force. “They’ll drink coffee, chew gum, even meditate to try to manipulate a reading. But there’s only one sure way to avoid flunking a breath test and that’s to not drink at all.”

 Fifteen drivers on Black Friday, including those impaired by illegal and prescription drugs, were arrested during the task force’s emphasis in the area of Sumner, Bonney Lake and Puyallup. Several officers were diverted from the patrol when a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle and seriously injured soon after leaving a bar in Sumner.

 Comprehensive efforts like these to reduce deaths and injuries over the past three years in Fife and Pierce County have reduced impaired driving deaths and serious injuries by 42 percent. Task force programs are funded by the Washington Traffic Safety Commission and the Washington Impaired Driving Council and are administered by Pierce County Community Connections.

Safe Street Of The Week

The Safe Street Of The Week for the week of December 6th through the 12th is Radiance Blvd E. This is a residential area and the posted limit is 25 MPH. Thank you for helping keep Fife neighborhoods safe!

Theft from Vehilce is on the rise

Here's an important message from our Investigations Division -

 

With the temperatures starting to get down below freezing, many of us are going out to our vehicles in the morning to find layers of ice over our windshields and windows.  Detectives are asking that you resist the urge to start up your vehicle and leave it to warm up while you are getting ready for work, school, or errands that you may need to run during the day.   There have been a number of cases recently where vehicle owners did this, and thieves took advantage and stole their cars. 

Also, detectives are hoping everyone will remember not to leave valuables, shopping bags and  nicely wrapped Christmas presents in their vehicles where thieves will have an easy time breaking in and stealing them.

Safe Street of the Week

The safe street of the week is 12th Street East from 54th Ave. to Alexander Ave. The posted limit is 25 MPH  Thank you for helping us keep Fife's neighborhoods safe!

Officer Volkman and K-9 Mia

Recently Pierce County Television came by and did a story on our newest K-9 Mia.

Click Mia's name to watch her debut!

On 11/19/2013 at approximately 1920 hrs. Fife Police were dispatched to a report of a semi truck vs. pedestrian accident at a local truck stop in the 1500 block of Port of Tacoma Rd.  Officers arrived and found a 60 year old male trapped between his pickup truck and the rear axle of the semi trailer.  A tow truck was needed to pull the vehicles apart so that fire personnel could administer aid.   The male was transported to the hospital with serious injuries. 

 Detectives and members of the Pierce Metro Collision Response Team are investigating the incident and believe that the victim was attempting to get air into one of his vehicles tires when he was struck.  The area where the collision occurred was not designated for passenger type vehicles.  The driver of the semi is cooperating with the investigation. 

 Detectives are interested in speaking with anyone who may have witnessed the collision.  Please call the Fife Police Department’s Investigations Unit at 253-896-8287 with any information you may have about this case.

Safe Street Of The Week

The Safe Street of the Week for the week of November 15th through November 28th is Valley Avenue E. from 54th to 70th. Remember school zones and weight restrictions are enforced on this road. The posted limit is 30 MPH  but during school zone hours 6:30 - 9:00 am and 2:30 - 4:30 pm  the limit is reduced to 20 MPH. The blinking ambers will alert you when it's active school zone hours. The weight restrictions are 14,000 lbs. GVW. Thanks for helping keep Fife neighborhoods safe!

Safe Street Of The Week

This weeks safe street is 48th St. E. from 70th St. E. to Freeman Rd. Patrol will be focusing on this street so if you use it as a cut-through to avoid back-ups at 70th and N. Levee Rd. remember the posted limit is 25 MPH. Thank you for helping us keep Fife neighborhoods safe!

Safe Street of the Week

This weeks SSOTW is 70th Avenue E. from 20th Street E. to N. Levee Road.  The posted limit on this street is 35 MPH
Thank you for helping us keep our streets safe by obeying the posted limit!

Fife PD still seeking Reserve Officer Applicants

Are you interested in becoming a Reserve Police Officer? The Fife Police Department is accepting applications for 10 entry level and lateral Reserve Police Officers. This is a non-paid, volunteer position with a strong emphasis on community service.  

The next testing phase is scheduled for the end of November and will determine candidates for the January 2014 Academy. The testing process includes a physical agility test followed by a written exam. If a candidate passes both, an oral board interview will be scheduled.

Applications and information about the Fife Reserve Police Officer program can be found here. 

Press Release

On 10/23/2013 Fife Police Officers were on routine patrol when they contacted a female in the 3400 block of Pacific Hwy E for a pedestrian violation.  The female, who was under the influence of narcotics, was found to be 15 years old and had been away from her home in Marysville for 5 days.  After speaking with detectives about her situation, detectives went to a motel in the 3500 block of Pacific Hwy E where they found the female had been staying with an adult male and two adult females.  Both females admitted to being prostitutes and drug users, but denied knowing the age of the juvenile female.  The male was uncooperative and denied any knowledge of what was happening at the motel or with any of the females despite being located in one of the rooms and having a key to the other. 

Detective served search warrants on two rooms at the hotel and found narcotics, syringes, drug paraphernalia, cell-phones and a computer believed to have been used to post prostitution ads on the internet including ads of the juvenile. 

 
The adult females were booked into the Pierce County Jail for unlawful possession of a controlled substance and prostitution related charges.  The male was booked into Pierce County Jail for promoting sexual abuse of a minor and drug related charges including providing narcotics to a minor.  The juvenile was released to her mother.  Charges on her have been forwarded to the Pierce County Juvenile Prosecutor. 

Safe Street Of The Week

This weeks SSOTW is 54th Avenue E. from the 400 block to Pacific Hwy E. The posted limit on this street is 35 MPH
Thank you for helping us keep our streets safe by obeying the posted limit!

New Corrections Van arrives!

Here's a sneak peek of our new Corrections van. It's still in the process of receiving emergency lights and fabrication of seating for inmates. More pictures will be posted after it's completed!

Safe Street Of The Week

This weeks safe street of the week is Pacific Highway East from the Tacoma city limits (2200 block) to Port of Tacoma Road. The posted speed limit is 35 MPH
Thank you for helping us keep Fife streets safe!

Do you follow us on Twitter?

If you do, I'll be spending a few hours on a "tweet along" with Officer McNaughton tomorrow afternoon. Follow along as I tweet from the road!
If you aren't on Twitter, here's a link to sign up and start following us!

Tractor Pull for Special Olympics Washington

Fife Police Department's first annual Tractor Pull fundraiser for Special Olympics Washington was held this last Saturday in conjunction with the 2013 Fife Harvest Festival. Four teams consisting of six members each, made up a FPD team, a TFD team and two Fife High football teams, competed in a timed competition to pull a Public Works backhoe weighing 16,000 pounds, 50 feet. Winning the pull was one of the football teams with a time of 22:05 seconds! The friendly competition raised $260.00 for Special Olympics Washington. We'd like to thank Tacoma Fire, Station 12, and the Fife High School football program for their participation in the event! We look forward to competing again next year!

54th Avenue Construction

54th Avenue E. Southbound lanes between Pacific Hwy. E and SR509 will be closed 6:00AM Friday, October 4th to 6:00AM Sunday, October 6th for asphalt grinding and repaving. Delays may be lengthy, alternate routes are advised.

Run from the Cops! 5K

Run from the Cops 5K Fun Run was a night time fundraising run that took place Saturday, September 28th in Puyallup. The event was hosted by Puyallup Police Department and all proceeds collected benefit Special Olympics Washington.  Participants needed to cross the finish line in 30 minutes or less to avoid being corralled into the “Special Olympics Slammer” and ticketed for not being able to out run the cops!  Walkers, runners, kids and costumes were welcome! Here's a photo of team "Fife's Felons" after they completed the run.

Team "Fife's Felons"

Steady hands

Officers spend many hours keeping their skills sharp and their training up to date. Today time was spent at the range qualifying on duty equipment. This is a mandatory yearly event for all officers.

Free truck inspections

The Port of Tacoma and the Fife Police Department have partnered to bring truck safety to the forefront! FREE truck inspections will be offered on Saturday, October 5th. Trucks that pass inspection will receive CVSA stickers on the spot. Call or email to schedule your appointment!

Interested in becoming a Fife Reserve Officer?

Applications must be 'in hand' by this Friday to be eligible for Sunday's testing process. Tests will begin at 0900 at the Fife High School track. Information about the reserve program, including applications and requirements can be downloaded from the Reserve Division website.

Safe Street of the Week

Due to an increase in number of collisions, along with reports of speeding on the newly widened 70th Avenue, we have dedicated it as this week's Safe Street Of The Week. The posted speed limit is 35 mph. Enforcement will occur between 20th Street E. and N. Levee Road. Thank you for helping us keep Fife streets safe!


This photo from the Grand Reopening ceremony on July 23, 2013 

Crosswalk painting

 

Stop bars and crosswalks are being re-painted on 54th Ave. on the south side of I5. Lanes are reduced down to one. Use caution through the intersections.

What an upgrade!

Sidewalk improvements on 54th Ave. are coming along nicely! The new asphalt is great too! The new sidewalk ramps are ADA compliant and improve pedestrian safety, in turn heightening the walkability of Fife.

Safe Street of the Week

The 54th Avenue repaving project is halfway complete! The southbound lanes will be closed for repaving this coming weekend. In the mean time, 54th Ave. E. is our Safe Street of the Week! Obey road crew flaggers and have a safe week!

54th Avenue Closure Notice

54th Avenue E. will be closed from Pacific Hwy E. to SR509 this Friday 9:00 pm through Sunday 3:00 pm for asphalt grinding and sidewalk improvements. Delays are expected, so alternate routes are advised. The same closure will occur again the weekend of September 20th through 22nd for repaving.

Weekly Update

Calls for service for the previous week: 409

There were 53 new cases opened with 80 records.



Weekly Update

Calls for service for the week of August 9th through August 15th: 460

There were 51 new case reports with 73 records.

 



Safe Street Of The Week

SSOTW for the week of August 16th through August 22nd is Frank Albert Rd. from 20th St. to N. Levee Rd. The 30/35 mph limit changes at the 2500 block. Thank you for keeping Fife streets safe!

Weekly Update

Calls for service for the previous week: 422

There were 58 new cases filed with 74 records.



Internet Safety Alert

Learn tips on how to save yourself from becoming a victim of internet crime.

 

Safe Street Of The Week

The Safe Street of the Week for the week of August 2nd through August 8th will be Radiance Blvd. E. in honor of the upcoming National Night Out event at Five Acre Park! The posted limit on Radiance Blvd. E. is 25 mph. Please watch out for pedestrians as there will be an increase in activity in the area. Thank you for helping us keep Fife neighborhoods safe!

Weekly Update

Calls for service for the previous week: 472

There were 51 case reports filed with 79 records.

 



Off Duty Officer Involved in Shooting

The Fife Police Officer who was involved in an off duty, officer involved shooting in Pierce County has been identified as Fife Police Officer Jake Stringfellow, a 11 year law enforcement veteran.

On July 30, 2013 just after 10:00 in the evening, an armed suspect confronted the officer at the officer’s home in unincorporated Pierce County.  The suspect fired shots at the officer’s residence, with the officer shooting and killing the suspect.  

Pierce County Sheriff’s Deputies were the initial responders to the call and they are handling the investigation of the incident.  

Fife Police Chief Brad Blackburn stated “the number one priority is the wellbeing and safety of my Officers and their families.  While I do not have all the information at this time, this preliminarily appears to be an unfortunate situation where this subject chose to confront the Officer at his home resulting in his death.” 

At the conclusion of the investigation, it will ultimately be reviewed by the Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office who will conduct a comprehensive review of the facts of the shooting and make a determination.

The Officer will be on administrative duty pending the conclusion of the investigation, which is standard practice when officers are involved in these types of critical incidents.

The investigation is ongoing at this time.

Apply to become a Reserve Police Officer!

The Fife Police Department is now accepting applications for entry level and lateral RESERVE POLICE OFFICER positions. This is a non-paid, volunteer position. FPD hopes to fill 5-7 positions. 

Application deadline is September 27, 2013 by close of business. Testing will be Saturday, September 29, 2013. The testing process includes a physical agility test at 9:00 am at Fife High School followed by a written exam at noon at the police station. If a candidate passes both, an oral board interview will be scheduled. This will determine candidates for the January 2014 Academy.  Please send in your application IMMEDIATELY for consideration. Applications and more information about the Fife Reserve Police Officer program can be found here.

Safe Street Of The Week

For the week of July 26th through August 1st emphasis patrol will be on Freeman Road E. between Valley Ave. E. and 20th Street E. Please remember the posted limit on this street is 25 mph. Many thanks to the residents who shared their concerns about the excessive speeds through their neighborhoods! Let's keep Fife streets safe!

Weekly Update

Calls for service for the previous week: 463

There were 47 new case reports with 60 records.

 

 



Weekly Update

Calls for service for the previous week: 371

There were 63 new case reports filed and 85 records.

 



~ Safe Street of the Week ~

Safe street of the week for July 12th through July 18th is 20th Street E. from 54th Ave. to Freeman Rd. The posted speed limit is 35 mph. Thank you for helping us keep Fife neighborhoods safe! 

~ Save the Date! ~

National Night Out is Tuesday, August 6th. Come join Fife PD and your neighbors at Five Acre Park in the Radiance housing development for an evening of Food, Fun, Activities, Music, Games and Prizes! This event is open to all Fife residents! More details coming soon.

Safe Street of the Week

Safe Street of the Week for the week of July 5th through July 11th is 62nd Ave. E. from 20th St. E. to Valley Ave. E. The posted limit through this neighborhood is 30 mph. Thank you for helping us keep Fife neighborhoods safe!

Weekly Update

Calls for service for the previous week: N/A

 

 



Safe Street of the Week

Safe street of the week now begins on Fridays! The safe street for the week of June 28th through July 4th is Pacific Hwy E. from 54th Ave. to 65th Street. The posted limit changes between 35mph and 45mph at the 5700 block.

Weekly Update

Calls for service for the previous week: 422

There were 47 case reports with 65 records.



2011 Sportco burglary update

Today, Soeun Sun was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole under Washington's "three strikes you're out" law.

More information regarding his sentencing can be found in today's TNT article.

*TRAFFIC ALERT!*

20th Street will be closed for night paving of 70th Avenue from June 25th through July 3rd. The closure will run from 62nd Avenue to Freeman Road from 9pm to 6am. Only local access will be allowed during these times. Please be patient, this project is in the final stages!

Weekly Update

Calls for service for the previous week: 387

There were 60 case reports with 72 records.

 



Safe Street of the Week

The safe street of the week for June 20th through June 27th is Freeman Rd. E. between 20th Street E. and Valley Avenue E.
The posted limit on this street is 25 mph. Please help us keep Fife neighborhoods safe!

Weekly update

Calls for service for the previous week: 484

There were 45 case reports with 58 records.



Weekly Update

Calls for service for the previous week: 352

There were 40 case reports with 73 records.

 



Weekly Update

Calls for service for the previous week: 727

There were 47 case reports with 66 records.

 

Special Olympics Washington ~ Law Enforcement Torch Run this Friday

The Law Enforcement Torch Run for SpeFcial Olympics Washington is this Friday, May 31st. If you use west bound Pacific Highway East as part of your commute, be advised of possible traffic back-ups between 3:30pm and 4:30pm as the "Flame of Hope" makes it's way through Fife.

Over the past 32 years, the Law Enforcement Torch Run has evolved from a symbolic awareness run to one of the most unique annual fund raising efforts for Special Olympics by the law enforcement community.

If you are interested in making a donation on behalf of the "Team Fife PD" Special Olympics support team, please visit their pledge page. You can also keep up to date on the team's activities at their Facebook page.

Man commits suicide in car with chemical mechanism

At approximately 9:55 AM on 05-24-2013, the 9-1-1 Dispatch Center in Fife received a phone call regarding a suspicious vehicle in a parking lot at the 2500 62^nd Ave East. 

The RP stated that upon inspection of the vehicle, there was found to be an unresponsive male inside with a note taped to the window stating Do Not Open, Hydrogen Sulfide – Call 9-1-1.

Police responded and immediately cordoned off the area. Tacoma Fife Department and Tacoma’s hazmat team arrived and with a unified command, gained entry into the vehicle.  Fire personnel determined the subject was deceased.

The potential area of exposure was contained and minimal.  The area is blocked off by police but outside the contained area is safe.  62^nd Ave East is currently closed with Police and Fire activity.

The investigation continues.

Father with criminal past uses son as hostage

On 05/23/13 at approx. 10:18 p.m., Fife Officers responded to a reported Domestic Violence Assault at a residence in the 200 block of 55^th Ave E.  The initial report was that a mother was being assaulted by her adult son, and that the mother was also running down the street asking to “send help”.     Officers contacted the mother, who had responded to the residence to assist with the care of her 4 year old grandson.   The suspect, highly intoxicated and depressed over the death of a close friend, had called his mother to come and care for his child.   The mother was initially allowed to remove the child, but the suspect’s demeanor suddenly changed and he became aggressive.  The suspect forcibly removed the child from his mother’s vehicle and re-entered the residence.   The mother was concerned for her grandchild’s welfare and entered the residence.   The suspect physically assaulted the mother, grabbing her arm, striking her, and preventing her from calling 911.    The mother fled the residence, calling 911 for assistance.  Officers have responded numerous times to this location for violent crimes involving the suspect.     The suspect is flagged in a law enforcement database as being armed and dangerous, with prior hostile contacts with Law Enforcement and numerous prior arrests.    

 

Officers arrived and began speaking with the suspect over the telephone.    The suspect informed Officers that he would not release the child, would not come to the door, and was armed with a pistol.    The suspect was observed walking on the second floor of the residence, using the child as a shield, and at one point he actually held the child out the window.    Pierce Metro SWAT was activated and responded to the scene.  

 

Negotiators spoke with the suspect for several hours, attempting to convince him to release the child.    Eventually, the suspect agreed to release the child, but only to the child’s grandmother.    At approx. 0245 hours, the suspect moved the child to the front porch of the residence.    While on the porch, the suspect attempted to pull the child back into the residence.   Pierce Metro SWAT then engaged the suspect, and the suspect was struck by gunfire.   The child was removed to safety, and medics with the Tacoma Fire Department began to treat the suspect.    The suspect was transported to St. Joseph’s hospital where he died as a result of his injuries.   

Currently, the Pierce Metro Crime Response Unit is processing the scene and the investigation is ongoing.     The child and grandmother are safe, and have been reunited with the child’s mother. 

Weekly Update

Calls for service for the previous week: 479

There were 59 case reports with 96 records.



Safe Street Of The Week

Happy Thursday! There's a new Safe Street Of The Week beginning today. This weeks safe street is Pacific Highway E. from 54th Ave. to the 2200 block. The posted speed limit is 35 mph. Emphasis is through the 29th.

Counterfeit Currency Poll

Are you able to tell the difference between real and counterfeit money? The public has a role in maintaining the integrity of U.S. currency. You can help guard against the threat from counterfeiters by becoming more familiar with United States currency. Look at the money you receive and look for differences in the quality of printing and paper characteristics. What feature do you typically check?

Take our FACEBOOK POLL!

National Police Week Day 5 - Respect, Honor, Remember

As we wrap up our National Police Week activities, today has been dedicated as Respect, Honor and Remember day. Today we ask you to also remember the families and loved ones who are left behind.
If you'd like to learn more about the national memorial and fund, please visit the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund website. You can also honor them by making a donation on their contribute page.

Weekly Update

Calls for service for the previous week: 439

There were 64 case reports with 97 records.

 



Safe Street Of The Week

The Safe Street of the Week for the week of May 16th through May 22nd is North Levee Road East. The posted limit on this road changes from 25 mph to 35 mph at 54th Ave. E. There is also a hazardous materials and weight restriction of 13 tons GVWR from 66th Ave. west to the city limits. Keep Fife neighborhoods slow and safe!