Story and photos by Doug Petrowski
The Mountlake Terrace Police Department opened the doors to their station Tuesday evening, giving residents the chance to tour the building, learn about the history of the department, meet officers and staff, watch crime investigation techniques, and get a close look at department vehicles and equipment.
The event started with Commander Craig McCaul and a police color guard leading visitors in a flag salute and the Pledge of Allegence. Then after some opening words, McCaul asked for a moment of silence in honor of law enforcement officers who have been killed in the line of duty. He then read a Mayor’s pronouncement declaring Tuesday Peace Officers Memorial Day in Mountlake Terrace.
Following the ceremony, visitors were invited into the station for tours and refreshments.
Officer Erin Kelly led demonstrations of how the department is able to retrieve fingerprints from pop cans. Officer Eric Jones showed off the department’s only motorcycle in its fleet. Animal Control Officer Elena McKee sought a home for a stray rat terrier the department has named “Albert,” who was recently found running loose on the 228th Street overpass. Other officers and staff mingled with visitors and answered questions.
The garage was opened to give tours of the department’s fleet of vehicles. South Snohomish County had their SWAT bus on hand for visitors to walk through.
Among attendees of the event were Mayor Jerry Smith, Mayor Pro Temp Laura Sonmore, Councilmembers Kyoko Matsumoto Wright and Seaun Richards, members of the Community Policing Advisory Board, and dozens of area families and individuals.
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