Latest news with #GigHarborPoliceDepartment
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pierce County police chief who ‘built lasting trust within the community' set to retire
Gig Harbor Police Chief Kelly Busey will retire June 23 after a career of more than 30 years in law enforcement, the city of Gig Harbor announced in a news release Thursday. Overseeing a department of 24 commissioned officers and three administrative staff, Busey stepped into the role of chief in 2014. He started out as an entry-level police officer for the Gig Harbor Police Department in 1991 after working for the Coast Guard, according to the release. 'Chief Busey has been an exemplary leader, providing steadfast service and commitment to the safety of our residents,' Mayor Mary Barber said in the release. 'His leadership has strengthened our Police Department and built lasting trust within the community.' According to the release, Busey's contributed his expertise in investigations, marine-services operations and communications to the department. The city also thanked him for his 'leadership, operational planning, management, technical writing, and crisis communications.' Under Busey's leadership, the Gig Harbor Police Department became accredited by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs on March 18 after an 18-month process, according to a city department update. According to the WASPC website, accreditation is an optional distinction that shows an agency is following 'industry best practices and standards,' focusing on 18 different areas, including use of force, personnel management, records management, information technology, health and safety, fiscal management and more. The process culminates with an on-site inspection. 'Our department learned about ourselves and improved in certain areas,' Busey wrote in the city newsletter March 19. 'It was also good to know that we have largely been doing things the proper way even before the process started ... Most importantly, our residents and businesses can be assured that we are doing our job in an efficient, legal, and transparent manner.' The department will receive an accreditation certificate in May, according to the city newsletter. Busey also oversaw the launch of the department's Business Check program in 2021 to help curb retail theft in Gig Harbor, The News Tribune reported. Larceny-theft offenses were the city's top crime incident in 2023, at 26.8 incidents per 1,000 people, according to the most recent statewide crime report from the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs. The program gave retail store employees a way to call police for a 'Business Check' if they noticed suspicious activity, without having to confirm whether someone was shoplifting and risk making a false accusation. More recently, Busey explored the option of contracting with Flock Safety to install 10 automated license-plate readers in Gig Harbor after he learned a City Council member was interested in what technologies the department could leverage. He also led the department in securing a grant from the Washington Auto Theft Prevention Authority to pay for the cameras' installation and one year of operation. The cameras don't issue speeding tickets but help law enforcement agencies more easily track stolen vehicles, locate missing people and solve other crimes. Busey made a formal presentation to the council Monday, but the council voted against a contract with Flock following several residents' public comments opposing it, The News Tribune reported. The city is planning a retirement reception for Busey near the end of June and will release the date and other details soon, the release said.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Yahoo
Pirate plunders boat motors from Gig Harbor, WA marina
The Brief A thief, accompanied by a dog, stole approximately $6,000 worth of motors from docks in Gig Harbor, Washington, using a hijacked dinghy to access multiple locations. The crimes were captured on video, and investigators are seeking the community's help to identify the suspect, hoping the presence of the dog will aid in recognition. Gig Harbor Police emphasize that waterfront thefts are uncommon in the area and encourage anyone with information to contact Detective Daniel to assist in solving the case. GIG HARBOR, Wash. - A pirate is plundering docks in Gig Harbor, Washington with his furry shipmate, and investigators are asking for the community's help to bring him to justice. What we know Early on Valentine's Day morning, Gig Harbor police say the suspect made off with about $6,000 worth of motors. Investigators tell FOX 13 Seattle that the thief hijacked a dinghy from a marina, then motored to two other docks in the area. The crimes were captured on video. "Yeah, that was disturbing because we do a job of changing our gate codes and keeping things secure and safe," said Brooke Alexander, the marina and office manager of Gig Harbor Marina and Boatyard. "Having to tell all of our people, maybe, something was stolen off their boat. Please come down and check. That's a hard thing to tell people," she said. The thief had a dog with him and investigators hope this will help get him identified. "You can see his face, but what we hope people will recognize or associate the dog traveling with the suspect. That's kind of a unique combination," said Gig Harbor Police Chief Kelly Busey. Busey tells FOX 13 Seattle that waterfront thefts are rare in Gig Harbor, but they do happen. Busey said he is confident the footage of the suspect will lead to answers. "We're just hoping to have justice," said Alexander. If you recognize the suspect, Gig Harbor Police ask that you call Detective Daniel at (253) 851-2236 regarding case 25 045 00682. The Source Information in this story comes from the Gig Harbor Police Department. Trooper crashes into wrong-way driver on I-90 in Bellevue, WA Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell arrested in 1996 on weapons, assault charges Judge makes ruling on DNA evidence in Bryan Kohberger trial WA Gov. Ferguson advocates for proposal limiting governor's emergency powers Armed woman in bogus UPS outfit accused of burglary in Pierce County, WA To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national coverage, plus 24/7 streaming coverage from across the nation.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Yahoo
Gig Harbor looks for pair accused of stealing $2,000 in cosmetics
The Gig Harbor Police Department is asking for the public's help in identifying two women accused of stealing $2,000 in cosmetics this week. It happened on February 12 at the Ulta Beauty in Olympic Village. The department shared pictures of the pair, captured on surveillance cameras inside the store, online. 'We would like to give them each a nice pair of bracelets to demonstrate our affection for them,' the department wrote. If anyone recognizes the women, they are asked to call Officer Raphael at (253) 851-2236 and reference case 2504301137. HAPPY VALENTINES DAY Please help us identify these two sweethearts. They were in the Valentine's Spirit a couple... Posted by Gig Harbor Police Department on Thursday, February 13, 2025
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Yahoo
Police arrest 16-year-old suspected of purse snatching in Gig Harbor
A 16-year-old suspected of snatching purses in Gig Harbor was arrested Friday, according to a Gig Harbor Police Department Facebook post. A string of purse-snatching incidents hit Gig Harbor on Dec. 9, 11 and 12, The News Tribune reported. All three happened in grocery store parking lots, and happened to women in their 70s and older. Police have identified the 16-year-old as a suspect in the incidents on Dec. 9 and 11, according to the post. On Dec. 9, the suspect allegedly approached a 77-year-old woman walking through the parking lot of a grocery store in the 5000 block of Point Fosdick Dr. and pulled a purse from her shoulder, causing her to fall to the ground and suffer 'significant facial injuries and a broken nose,' the post said. On Dec. 11, the suspect allegedly jumped out of a vehicle and grabbed a purse from an 80-year-old woman's grocery cart as she was loading items into her vehicle outside a grocery store in the 4800 block of Point Fosdick Dr., according to the post. The suspect allegedly left with the purse after a struggle. Officers arrested the suspect on suspicion of robbery for both incidents, and on suspicion of financial fraud for using the victim's credit cards after the first incident, the post said. Police haven't linked the suspect to the Dec. 12 incident, in which someone stole a 73-year-old woman's purse in the parking lot of a grocery store in the 10900 block of Harbor Hill Dr., but are working to do so using forensic evidence, according to the post. Gig Harbor Police detectives worked with investigators from other agencies including the Bellevue and Renton Police Departments to make the arrest. The suspect was booked into the King County Juvenile Detention Facility on suspicion of other crimes in King County. Police have also identified a second suspect who was allegedly using one of the victim's credit cards, according to the post. 'We are working to determine the extent of his involvement in these crimes,' the post said.
