Safety Reminder

This reminder from our Ruston Police:

***SAFETY REMINDER*** Do not let anyone you do not know into your house and always follow universal safety precautions.

We have had a couple of reports of a female asking residents to see things in their yard (decorations, yard art, etc.) and then asking to go in the house to use the restroom. The person then leaves and says she forgot something inside and asks to go back in. No one that we know of so far has allowed her back in the second time and nothing has been stolen or reported missing so far but we think its important to always ask questions and never let someone in your home that you do not know and trust.

Some of the criminal element uses a ruse similar to this to case your homes and to see if there is anything inside that they want to come back and steal. We want to ensure everyone has a happy holidays and do not want to see any one become a victim.

Unthinkable Horror In Our Backyard

As the mother of a young girl at the time, the 1986 sexual assault and murder of Jennifer Bastain and Michella Welch forever stole my sense of safety, even in a small town like Ruston. I believe we are safer here with police close by and neighbors who care. But there is no guaranteed protection from monsters who kill children.

Michella was killed at Puget Park - just a few blocks from here. Jennifer was killed at Point Defiance - in our backyard. Both murders are unsolved and likely committed by the same person. Tacoma Police recently created a cold case unit that has developed new clues about the killer and they are asking for help from everyone, especially those of us in this area. The News Tribune has outlined the new information (here). Please read it and contact Tacoma Police with any input, no matter how small or trivial. And let's pray that justice for Jenny and Michella can finally be served.

Ruston Chief Dunks For Special Olympics

Ruston's Police Chief Jeremy Kunkel was one of the many officers who took the Polar Bear Plunge in our back yard this weekend. The event raised funds for Special Olympics, an event near and dear to police agencies across the state. This was the first police/Special Olympics PBP in Tacoma-Pierce County. The goal was to exceed Seattle's first year total of $20,000. Thanks to the effort of many great officers, including our own, the event raised $70,000!

Chief Kunkel thanked the many generous community members who donated to his run into the very cold waters off Owens Beach on Saturday. You can watch the craziness (including some great footage of Kunkel) on this video link here... As always, good work Jeremy!

Tip A Cop (Without Arrest)

Now is your chance to legally slip a little extra to your local cop and not get arrested for attempted bribery. Ruston's police chief Jeremy Kunkel will be joining other local officers volunteering at the Tacoma Mall Red Robin tomorrow to raise money for Special Olympics. Chief Kunkel and others will wait tables in hopes of some very generous tips, 100% of which go to help Special Olympics.

Ruston folks are encouraged to pick up some lunch between 11am and 3pm when Jeremy will be working. The event runs until 7pm, so dinner would be fine too. Good job, Chief!

More Ruston Family Fair Pictures

As always, our volunter fire fighters were first to arrive and last to leave, helping set up and tear down for the fair Saturday. Along with our police officers, they were there all day long to greet, answer questions and build our community. Thanks for a job well done!

Ready to respond

Helping set up the Divas dunk tank

Fire department displays and root beer floats fundraiser

National Night Out Tonight

Ruston typifies the sense of community and connection that are sometimes lost in the big city. One way that communities large and small build connections is National Night Out Against Crime. The goal is get to know your neighbors and local public safety officers to help fight crime. But the benefits reach beyond the statistics, building stronger communities that know and care about each other.

Ruston Police confirm there are two block parties registered for tonight, both scheduled from 5-9pm:

• North 49th and Baltimore
• N. 53rd and Highland

Everyone is encouraged to potluck some dinner and stop by to meet your neighbors, along with members from our police and fire departments. It should be a gorgeous evening to mingle and enjoy the great town we are.

4th of July Kids Parade

Deck out those bikes, dress up the dog,decorate the wagon, grab a flag and head to Ruston by 10am tomorrow morning! Start out the holiday by joining or just watching the annual kids bike parade thru the town's main street. The parade often ends with loud jets flying overhead heralding the beginning Freedom Fair just down the hill. The event is sponsored by the police department this year - who reminds everyone to wear their helmets!

The parade starts at 10am in front of Don's Market (N. 51st and Pearl). See you there!

Sweetness On Many Fronts

Ruston police are joining other local agencies in the annual Cops on Doughnut Shops. The fund raiser for Special Olympics features officers sitting on top of Krispy Creme shops collecting donations all weekend. Our Ruston officers will once again join the fun this year. They made the following announcement on Facebook this morning. Stop by, eat a doughnut and enjoy the sweetness of our law enforcement community giving back.

Come out and support the kids!! Starting tomorrow morning, several of our officers and officers from other agencies will be donating our time at the Krispy Kreme donut shop at the Tacoma Mall for the Special Olympics Fundraiser "Cops on Donut Shops". The event is from 6AM to 6PM this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. It's a great cause and a great time! Hope to see everyone there!

Town Hall Burglarized Monday

It's been a busy week for Ruston's public safety departments. Besides yesterday's fire, police have been busy after two men burglarized Town Hall early Monday morning. They were confronted by the town maintenance men, handed back the equipment they were attempting to steal and took off (one on foot, one by car). Despite a chase, both men escaped.

One suspect has been identified and police will arrest him when he is located. They are still working on the identity of the second suspect. All stolen material was recovered and the investigation is on-going.

More Trouble At The Taste

It turned out to be another ambulance-laden evening at the Taste of Tacoma tonight. Ruston folks enjoying the usual people watching witnessed dozens of police cars rushing to the area as several large fights broke out along Pearl Street and within the Taste.

Early unofficial reports are that there were no serious injuries, but some of the fights involved well over 20 youth in each separate brawl. Police escorted everyone out of the park and had southbound lanes of Pearl Street shut down for a time.

More Public Servants Get Rave Reviews

Ruston police officer Vic Celis received an official commendation from Ruston officials last month for his great work arresting the alleged Pagoda arsonist. You'll recall that Celis stopped the young man riding through Ruston at 1 am on his bike with cans of flammable liquid and matches on his way to the boat house. (Read more here)

The recognition for work well done is deserved - and long overdue for our officers who work hard every day for us. But Office Celis has received another award earlier this month. The Weekly Volcano voted him Sexiest Servicemember. (Read more here)

Celis noted that he loves working in Ruston, especially since local folks wave at him with all their fingers. Congratulations for both awards, Officer Celis! And thanks to all our public safety defenders. You are all a big reason why Ruston is such a special place to live.

It's All In The Numbers

Ruston's police chief shared more details about the KIRO 7 news report that burglaries were up 120% in town in 2010. As suspected, that actual number of burglaries is very small in Ruston. The number was low in 2009, down to 5 for the full year. So when things were a bit above average in 2010 with 11 burglaries, the statistical increase used by KIRO was misleading.

Violent crime was down 75% (2 in 2010 compared to 8 in 2009), rape down 100% (0 compared to 1), robbery by down 50% (1 compared to 2). In fact, all categories were down between 14.6% to 100%. You can look through the full report of crimes at the Washington Association of Sheriff and Police web site here...

It's all in how the numbers are presented. Ruston is still a safe, connected, caring community to call home...

Ruston Police Nab Pagoda Arsonist

Ruston police officer Vic Celis stopped a suspicious juvenile on a bicycle last Wednesday morning, April 20th at about 1:30 am for bicycle violations and after observing some suspicious behavior. The young man admitted he was headed for the boathouse and gave permission for Celis to check his backpack, which contained a gas can and matches in his pocket. He also allowed police to check his cell phone, which had a text from a friend gloating over the Pagoda fire. The 15-year old boy was booked into Reman Hall that night and Tacoma police went to work on any connection to the Pagoda fire.

The juvenile was charged at Reman Hall this afternoon in connection with the Pagoda fire, and police are looking into any connection to the burglary the previous week at the same location and other crimes at the park in recent weeks. Ruston Police Chief Jeremy Kunkel said the case was a great example to two departments working together to solve a crime that touched both communities. The News Tribune has a developing story here...

Texas Officer's Murderer Lived In Ruston

The killing of Arlington, Texas police officer Jillian Michelle Smith on December 28, 2010 has sad ties to Ruston, Washington. The young police rookie's murderer lived in town in 2008. He was a registered sex offender and had contact with our police department when he threw his former girlfriend's dog off the deck in a fit of anger.

It's yet another a tragic reminder of the dangerous people our police protect us from and a call to stay mindful of public safety even in Ruston. You can read more details about Officer Smith and her murder here...

Eagle Fight

Ruston was the site of what wildlife experts say is a common occurrence - two male bald eagles fighting. Although bald eagles are seen often in the skies over Ruston, this time the action landed on the ground. The fight began mid-air and ended up in a local driveway last night. Ruston police chief Jeremy Kunkel said he never expected to get a call like this one.

Kunkel said the call came out about 5 pm and he arrived to find two eagles on the ground with the eagles locked. Each eagle had one of their talons holding the other's talon and the other claw buried in the chest of other bird. They refused to let go and remained quiet on the ground until animal control arrived.

At that point they started fighting again, but neither would let go of the other. Kunkel reports the fighting was intense with what sounded like bones being broken. It was only after being placed in the cage inside the animal control van (with the door open) that the two eagles separated. One flew off and the other was taken to Point Defiance Park and released.

There were no obvious injuries on either bird. One neighbor was concerned that our 4-minute power outage shortly after the first eagle flew off might be related, but there is no sign that either Ruston guest stuck around.

Just another day in the life of the Ruston police - and something to keep the neighbors talking for a few days.

Time for the next party already!

It's time to get ready for the next party in Ruston coming this Sunday. The traffic revisions for the classic Cadillac LaSalle show are listed below. Winnifred Street will be closed from 7 am until 4:30 pm Sunday, August 29th - and no parking on 52nd from Pearl to Bennett.

This is a unique show for the South Sound. I hope everyone can join us!

Point Defiance Cafe and Casino Burglarized

The Point Defiance Cafe and Casino at 51st and Pearl Street was burglarized yesterday at about 5 pm. Ruston police are asking for help in locating the suspect, who is pictured below. Anyone with information should call (253) 761-0272 or email Chief Kunkel at Jeremy.Kunkel@TownofRuston.org.

Message From Ruston Police Chief

Ruston Police Chief Jeremy Kunkel left the following comment on the last post. I felt it was important enough to put it up here on the main page.
______________________________________

Karen,

Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. This is a very difficult time for all of us as we not only lost colleagues, but friends as well.

We have chosen this profession because we are dedicated to service, honor, professionalism, and to the community we serve. When a heinous act like this occurs, it is not only an attack on us as law enforcement, but it is an attack on society as a whole. It makes all of us in the law enforcement community stop, question, and rethink why we got in to this profession.

Words of encouragement and support by the community are paramount and it reminds us of why we do what we do and keeps us focused on maintaining our professionalism and protecting the community.

I would like to let everyone know that funds have been set up to assist with the families of the four murdered officers. All donations go directly to the families and will help the nine children who lost their parents go to college. The goal is to raise enough money to put them all through college when they get older. If anyone is interested in donating, they can send a check to:

Lakewood Police Independent Guild (LPIG) Benevolent Fund
PO Box 99579, Lakewood, WA 98499

In addition, all Forza coffee locations are accepting donations for the families of Lakewood's fallen four officers.

Cash or checks can be made out to the Lakewood Police Independent Guild (LPIG) or online by going directly to the Lakewood Police Independent Guild’s website at WWW.IPIG.US.

My condolences and deepest regrets go to the victim’s families, the Lakewood Police Department and their families, and the entire community. We lost four great officers and our thoughts and prayers are with all of them.

Sincerely,
Chief Jeremy Kunkel
Ruston Police Department

Long Overdue Thank You

As a community, we are all overwhelmed with shock, sorrow and anger at the brutal murder of four Lakewood police officers yesterday. Our police protect us, comfort us in times of emergency and maintain order for our society. They face daily threats, constant political pressure and ridicule from those who dislike authority.

It feels a bit superficial to say how much we appreciate our Ruston police department at this time. It's frustrating that it takes a tragedy like this to cause us to pause to say a much deserved and long overdue thank you for a job well done each and every day. But we should ~ and do ~ offer our heartfelt gratitude. We appreciate your sacrifice and dedication, not just at this emotional time but day in and day out.

And our hearts go out to our local police officers that are hurting at this loss. I encourage everyone to say thank you in person to Jeremy and his crew today.

Former police chief Sharon Reese is following the news from the east coast. She sends this message:

I am sickened by this event and my thoughts are with my law enforcement family in Pierce County. Ruston's Chief and Officers will be personally affected by this tragedy as they work closely with Lakewood PD on many occasions. Take care my friends and do anything you can to help your colleagues and neighbor agency through this difficult time. I'll be with you in spirit.

With Great Sadness,
Sharon Reese
Alexandria, VA
Former Chief, Ruston PD

Night Out In Ruston

The National Night Out Against Crime has become an annual tradition ~ a chance to potluck with neighbors and build those important community connections. As a side benefit, knowing our neighborhood helps reduce crime. From the organization's web page:

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT is designed to:

• Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness;
• Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs;
• Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and
• Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

There are two block parties planned for tonight in Ruston:

• Winnifred from North 53rd to 54th
• N. 49th from Baltimore to Bennett

These streets will be blocked off and neighbors mingling. Stop over and say hello. It's a great way to get to know your neighbors, have some good food and enjoy a summer evening! More details are available on the town web page here....