July 8, 3:25 p.m.: A resident near H Street and Odell Road reported a traffic safety problem caused by vehicles speeding in the area. An officer responded, monitored the area and issued warnings and citations for speed violations. The complaint was shared with all officers for continued enforcement.
July 9, 11:58 a.m.: A business employee called police to report that a motorist at their drive-up window had an open can of alcohol-enriched hard lemonade with him. The driver and his contraband left before officers arrived. They checked the area but did not locate him.
July 11, 2:44 a.m.: An officer assisted the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office with holding a perimeter on Custer School Road as they responded to a burglary. The suspect was taken into custody without incident.
July 11, 4:40 a.m.: U.S. Customs reported they were questioning a person who had driven up to the U.S. crossing from Canada and was attempting to gain entry into the U.S. with a suspended drivers license out of the state of Washington. A Blaine officer arrived, confirmed the person’s driving status was suspended and arrested him for driving while license suspended. He was released with a criminal citation and a mandatory promise to appear.
July 11, 8:58 p.m.: Blaine Police, Washington State Patrol (WSP), and North Whatcom Fire and Rescue all responded to SR543 and H Street when a collision there sandwiched a passenger car between two large commercial trucks at the intersection. The car had been stopped at the traffic light behind one truck, when the second truck failed to stop and crashed into the rear of the queue. The car’s driver was transported to hospital by medics while Blaine provided traffic control and WSP investigated the collision.
July 12, 3:40 p.m.: A resident called to report that his neighbor’s dog had approached him, aggressive and barking, while he was doing yard work. The dog’s owners quickly retrieved their pet and took it inside. An officer contacted them, and they explained that it was the first time the canine had left its usual parking spot on their upper patio. They will be installing a gate on the patio to prevent any further encounters.
July 12, 4:30 p.m.: A business called police to report an ex-employee was “causing trouble” by standing near their property displaying a sign suggesting people should boycott her former employer. An officer contacted and interviewed the ex-employee. She was on public right-of-way exercising her First Amendment rights over what she perceived to be labor law violations. The officer advised the business owner that the citizen’s actions were not violating criminal law.
July 12, 5:23 p.m.: A man reported that an expensive tablet computer and MP3 player had been stolen from his car while it was parked in a store parking lot. Officers investigated and completed a report on the vehicle prowl and theft. Later the reporting party re-contacted police when he discovered he had actually been the victim not of a theft but of an evil albeit instructive prank perpetrated by a friend. The electronics were safe and sound and the theft report was corrected.
July 12, 8:50 p.m.: Police were called when a visitor discovered a grenade-shaped object in the brush near Semiahmoo Park. Officers arrived and determined the item was an expended consumer firework shaped like a grenade. They disposed of the object and checked the area to ensure it was clear of other ordinance violations.
July 12, 10:10 p.m.: Officers contacted an out-of-state-plated vehicle parked beside a power substation late at night. The driver of the vehicle was looking for a place to sleep for the night after being denied entry to B.C. by Canadian immigration officials. The man from Tennessee did not have any wants or warrants and was encouraged to find another location to nap.
July 13, 8:18 a.m.: A resident contacted police to report vandalism to her driveway. Overnight a lewd image had been drawn on the pavement with black spray paint. There are currently no suspects in the malicious mischief. The victim requested more frequent patrols in her neighborhood and they will be provided as available.
July 13, 8:30 a.m.: A resident visited the police station to turn in a silver-colored bracelet that had been found at Marine Drive Park on July 5. It was placed into found property in hopes in owner will inquire and recover it.
July 13, 10:22 a.m.: Police were dispatched to Sweet Road and Odell Road for a non-injury reportable collision between a passenger car and a semi truck. The investigating officer found that the truck’s driver had failed to yield the right of way. A collision repot was completed and the drivers were helped in exchanging information.
July 13, 10:30 a.m.: While investigating a separate vandalism case, an officer discovered that someone had painted lewd drawings on a stop sign and on the nearby street using black spray paint. Blaine Public Works was notified to remove the images. There are currently no suspects in this case.
July 13, 10:38 a.m.: While investigating a separate vandalism case, an officer discovered that someone had painted a lewd drawing on a container trailer using black spray paint. The company that owns the container was notified of the damage.
July 13, 12:22 p.m.: A city employee called to report that his bicycle had been stolen from its parking spot outside the city hall building. The bicycle mysteriously appeared later, and was recovered by its owner from the bus stop in front of the police department. No one present admitted to knowing how it got there, and the owner will be researching the benefits of bicycle locks.
July 13, 3:44 p.m.: Police responded to a report of a possible domestic violence crime at a residence. Officers arrived and separated the husband and wife, who each said they were only having a verbal argument. The husband only had his underwear on, and went inside to get dressed. He then snuck out through the other door and ran away. The reason why became clear when the officers found there were protection and no contact court orders in place between the husband, wife and son. A search of the neighborhood for the man was unsuccessful, and a report was filed with the prosecutor recommending order violation charges against him.
July 13, 7:55 p.m.: Officers responded to a report of a shoplifter at a grocery store. They learned that store employees had observed a woman acting suspiciously, and she fled the store when the employees confronted her. The suspect was seen driving away at high speed, failing to stop at a posted stop sign as she fled. A U.S. Border Patrol agent later observed the suspect vehicle stopped at a dairy in Lynden. Officers responded, contacted the woman, then cited and released her with a mandatory court date.
July 14, 6:05 a.m.: A resident called to report that her nephew had entered her home without permission, after having been previously trespassed from the residence by a police officer. The nephew was intoxicated and refused to leave. Eventually, the victim was able to convince the man to depart, but as he was going he punched and damaged a wall then tore a rain downspout from the exterior of the house. Officers responded and searched the area but did not find the teenager. Probable cause exists for his arrest and charges will be forwarded to the Whatcom County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
July 14, 1:32 p.m.: A contractor working for a Blaine resident called police after finding two shattered windows to vacant rental property. An officer responded to investigate. No suspects have been identified and estimated replacement cost is $1,000.
July 14, 4:17 p.m.: An anonymous caller reported yelling and screaming from a duplex near Mitchell and Cedar Street. An officer arrived and spoke with a resident who was outside his home, advising he had not heard anything. The officer did not hear any yelling and screaming and cleared a short time later after monitoring the area.
July 14, 4:18 p.m.: A relative of a deceased resident called police after finding that someone had broken into the decedent’s home. A substantial amount of jewelry items were taken in the burglary, and police are investigating.
July 14, 10:47 p.m.: Police were dispatched to report of a juvenile riding on the hood of a car on D Street. An officer was in the area and immediately stopped the vehicle. The juvenile driver of one of the cars was arrested for driving after consuming marijuana and being a minor in possession of marijuana. Another juvenile was also arrested for minor in possession of alcohol. Both teens were released to the custody of their parents.
July 14, 11 p.m.: While responding to another call, officers contacted a group of juveniles. One of the juveniles exhibited effects from drinking alcohol, had bloodshot, watery eyes and the smell of intoxicants coming from his mouth and admitted to drinking. The young man was arrested and released to his parents. Information will be forwarded to the juvenile prosecutor for review.