With the statewide stay at home order now in effect, the Vancouver Police Department will be taking additional measures to ensure citizens are in compliance with this new order
VANCOUVER – Gov. Jay Inslee’s state-wide stay at home order is now in effect and the Vancouver Police Department will be doing its part to provide education and information to area residents about this order and the importance of compliance.
Vancouver Police have already begun proactive patrols of neighborhoods to help prevent increases of package thefts and property crimes. Officers are also increasing patrols around businesses and patrolling business districts, especially around businesses that have temporarily closed due to the statewide closures.
With the statewide stay at home order now in effect, the Vancouver Police Department will be taking additional measures to ensure citizens are in compliance with this new order.
Officers will attempt to educate violators of the order first, from a distance, and in accordance with the six-foot social distancing guidelines. Every effort will be made to gain voluntary compliance with the governor’s order and provide a warning.
It is a gross misdemeanor to willfully violate any provision of the order issued by the governor (RCW 43.06.220, Willful Violation of An Emergency Order or RCW 9A.76.020, Obstructing A Law Enforcement Officer). Criminal citation is a last resort measure and the public is highly encouraged to be aware of the order and voluntarily comply.
If businesses are not in compliance, they will also be provided a warning and opportunity to get in compliance. Officers will be documenting interactions with businesses that are out of compliance and referring these reports to the appropriate business licensing agencies for follow up.
Although the Vancouver Police Department continues to respond to calls for service, it is important for community members to call 3-1-1 for non-emergencies and 9-1-1 for emergencies only. It is imperative for community members to refrain from calling 9-1-1 and overloading the emergency system with non-emergency calls for service. Calls for service are prioritized based on life safety.
If there is an identified safety issue related to the governor’s stay at home order, citizens may call the 3-1-1 non-emergency number. However, citizens are asked to refrain from calling 3-1-1 solely to report incidents of non-compliance in social distancing. The same dispatch center handles both 3-1-1 and 9-1-1 calls and can quickly get overloaded with calls for non-safety issues.
In an effort to adhere to social distancing safety recommendations, officers may contact citizens by telephone when appropriate.
Following the governor’s order, Vancouver Police precinct lobbies are now closed to the public, however we remain open for business Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. to take telephone reports at (360) 487-7500. For more information on crime reporting visit: https://www.cityofvancouver.us/police/page/crime-reporting.
For the most current information about the Vancouver Police Department’s response during the COVID-19 pandemic please visit: https://www.cityofvancouver.us/police/page/vancouver-police-response-given-covid-19-precautions.
Information provided by Vancouver Police Department.
