Sunnyside police officers are starting morning patrols focusing on residents who are warming up their cars in the morning and leaving them running and unattended.
The department's auto theft prevention team is being proactive, said spokeswoman Charlotte Hinderlider.
So far this year through Nov. 1, auto thefts are down 49 percent compared with the same period in 2008, she said. Officers want to make sure the numbers don't increase because of a common winter-weather routine that makes motorists a prime target for car thieves.
It could cost people $124 if they're found leaving their vehicles running unattended on a public thoroughfare.
Other preventive measures include closing windows and the sunroof when parking the car, not leaving a spare key in the vehicle and using burglary alarms or steering wheel locks.
Parking a car in a driveway is better than the street, but a locked garage is even safer, officers say. If a car has to be parked on the street, it should be well lighted and well traveled.
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Officials caution not to leave cars running
Officials caution not to leave cars running
With temperatures in the morning dipping into the teens, drivers may be tempted to leave cars running, so it's nice and warm when they get inside.
But police are reminding motorists not to do that -- it can end up costing you a fine for leaving a vehicle unattended.
"More importantly, you are practically giving your vehicle away to a thief if you leave it running and unattended," said Kennewick police Sgt. Ken Lattin.
Sacajawea State Park sees drop in visitors
Sacajawea State Park sees drop in visitors
Sacajawea State Park in Pasco saw a 50 percent drop in visitors in the first month the state began requiring the new Discover Pass.
Park Ranger Reade Obern said he has had numerous conversations with park users about the pass. Some people are angry about it until they realize state parks no longer are supported by taxpayers, he said.
July was the first month the one-year $30 Discover Pass, or a one-day $10 parking fee, was required at state parks or public lands managed by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife and the state Department of Natural Resources.
Pasco man arrested after police chase
Pasco man arrested after police chase
A 57-year-old Pasco man was arrested early Monday after leading police on a slow-speed chase in a stolen car in downtown Pasco, officials said.
Two patrol cars sustained minor damage during the chase, Pasco police Capt. Jim Raymond told the Herald.
The incident began when officers tried to stop the green Taurus around 2 a.m. near Third Avenue and Park Street for a possible DUI investigation, Raymond said.
OR police not laughing at Valentine's Day stunt
OR police not laughing at Valentine's Day stunt
A young Portland couple called it Valentine's Day role playing. Police called it disorderly conduct, saying it created public alarm as well as taking up the time of at least nine patrol cars for 20 minutes Tuesday.
Yard-sale etiquette
Yard-sale etiquette
To all the yard-salers, just a heads up. To go to yard sales does not mean you can make U-turns in the middle of a busy, side road at any given time because you missed the sign, nor does it mean you can park in front of someone's driveway, half on a sidewalk, leave your children in a running car, park on half the road and open your door with no caution of looking to see if a car is coming, drive to slow because you thought you saw a sign, slam on your breaks because you did and speed down a residential road in danger of hitting a child or adult, all because it's a yard sale.
To go to a yard sale also does not mean your children can play with the toys and break them before they can be sold. The yard sale is not a baby sitter. Its all about respect, and last but not least, I am sure, don't look at me with the look that says, "My children are running around my car and in the busy street, and I need to look out for that!" Rules of the road do apply to you, so does child endangerment laws. Don't take the fun out
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