King County Launches New "Stop Hate Hotline"

 

Seattle/ Internet

Summary King County announced today the launch of the Stop Hate Hotline. The hotline is operated by the non-profit Crisis Connections. It is now live and can be used to provide an immediate confidential reporting system for victims of hate crimes and bias incidents, while connecting them to vital community resources and support services. Story Today, King County Executive Shannon Braddock, in partnership with King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn and non-profit Crisis Connections, announced the launch of the new Stop Hate Hotline, marking a significant milestone in the county's efforts to combat hate crimes and support affected communities. The hotline can be reached at 833-786-7481 or 833-STOP-H81. "The launch of the Stop Hate Hotline represents King County's unwavering commitment to creating a community where every resident feels safe, valued, and protected from hate and bias. This hotline provides crime victims and survivors support, resources, and assistance in reporting the crime to law enforcement if they choose," said Executive Braddock. "We recognize that hate crimes don't just harm individual victims; they stoke fear in whole communities. By partnering with Crisis Connections, we're ensuring that when someone reaches out in need, they'll find compassionate, trauma-informed care that honors their experience and focuses on their healing."

Redmond Police Host Firearm Exchange Event

 

Redmond Police Department to Host Firearm Exchange Event on September 20

REDMOND, WA - The Redmond Police Department is hosting its second free and voluntary firearm exchange event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Redmond Police Department North Lot, located at 8707 160th Ave. NE, Redmond. This initiative offers Redmond residents, Redmond Ridge community members, and City of Redmond employees a safe way to turn in unwanted firearms in exchange for gift cards. Proof of residency is required. 

Participants must ensure all firearms are unloaded, with the safety on, and stored in the trunk or rear area of the vehicle, out of reach of passengers. When possible, firearms should be placed in a gun case or box to allow for safe examination by officers. No ammunition will be accepted at the event. Firearms collected during the exchange will be safely and permanently destroyed. 

Gift card values offered in exchange for firearms are as follows:

• $0 – Replicas, toy guns, BB-guns, pellet guns, airsoft guns
• $100 – Muzzleloaders, antiques, shotguns, rifles (non-assault style)
• $200 – Handguns (pistols and revolvers)
• $300 – AR-style rifles, AK-style rifles, and automatic rifles

“This event is about giving our community members a safe and anonymous way to remove unwanted firearms from their homes. Whether someone no longer needs a firearm, inherited one, or simply wants to reduce the risk of theft or misuse, this is an opportunity to do so responsibly,” said Police Chief Darrell Lowe. “Our goal is to enhance community safety by preventing firearms from falling into the wrong hands.” 

For information about the event, visit redmond.gov/FirearmExchange2025. 

Automated License Plate Readers To Enhance Public Safety

 

CONTACT

Jill Green, Redmond Police Department Public Information Officer
jgreen@redmond.gov
425-556-2627

Redmond Police Deploy Automated License Plate Readers to Enhance Public Safety

 

REDMOND, WA - The Redmond Police Department has taken another step forward in integrating advanced public safety technology into its daily operations by deploying Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) in strategic areas across the city.

The ALPR system enhances the department’s ability to respond swiftly and effectively to crimes, missing persons, and public safety threats. These cameras automatically alert officers and analysts when a vehicle linked to a crime, missing person, stolen vehicle, or other critical incident is detected.  Before any action is taken, every alert is verified and confirmed to ensure the information is accurate and valid.

"With tools like ALPR, we are able to act faster and more precisely to protect our community," said Chief Darrell Lowe. "It's important to note that these technologies are not intended for general surveillance. We use them solely to track vehicles involved in crimes or emergencies, ensuring that privacy and individual rights are always respected."

Updated: Overlake Bellwether Housing Development, Affordable

Overlake Bellwether Housing 
2027 - 2028 completion date

The City of Redmond is seeking to enter into a 2.4 acre purchase and sale agreement with Bellwether Housing for the acquisition of a commercial property on the ground floor of an affordable housing project. This project is located adjacent to the Overlake light rail station and will contain two additional commercial spaces and 328 affordable housing units. 

Approval of the purchase and sale of Bellwether allows the City of Redmond to acquire 1600 sf of coveted commercial space in the Overlake Neighborhood right next to light rail.  The development will include a six-story, mixed-use building housing small businesses, “mini town hall,” and nonprofit services. · 

Most importantly, affordable housing for ~328 homes include studios, 1, 2, and 3-bedrooms will be available at 30% to 80% Area Median Income (AMI) however, families will qualify only for 50% AMI. 

Below are outlined some other potential benefits: 

 City services: Potential for increased access to city services, such as customer service, translation services, bill pay, mobile integrated health, Police desk, and other city services, along with rotating art.  

 Co-location of  1,600 sq commercial condo adjacent to a planned multicultural small business hub. The City envisions the use of the parcel as a dedicated to open space, suitable for small-scale community use. 

Multicultural services:  In the Overlake Intercultural District more than 42% of the residents are foreign born and 46.5% speak a language other than English at home. 

Multi-modal transportation on sidewalks and streets close to the Overlake Station.  

The Mayor has approved allocating $1 million in funds budgeted for Bellwether's housing development.  King County staff have proposed a matching contribution with an additional $1.15 million. City staff has applied for federal and state grants to support the acquisition and tenant improvements. The City was successful in receiving a state grant earmark and Department of Commerce grant. 

Source:  Council Committee of the Whole, 8/5/2025  (Election Day) 

City of Redmond Design Review agenda

Redmond Code Enforcement Officers

If you have concerns to report like campaign sign placement, commercial signs, and tree removal, please use this link.  Request for Service - Redmond, WA 

­Elena McKee Code Enforcement Officer, City of Redmond
425-448-0964  (cell phone)  425-556-2412 (land line)  emckee@redmond.gov (email)   The Code Enforcement system is used to report non-emergency concerns and is only monitored during City business hours. Our Code Enforcement Team addresses concerns regarding potential code violations on private property like tree removal.  We collaborate with other City departments and Redmond residents to develop and implement solutions for issues related to health and safety codes in our community. Our primary goal is to inform and educate you while promoting voluntary compliance. Please note that the City does not intervene in civil disputes, such as disagreements over property lines, hazardous trees on neighboring properties, or tenant-landlord issues. Please include the following information: Detailed description of the concern Complete details of the location Your contact information Please note this request system is public domain. Any correspondence from, to, or contained in this system is a public record. Accordingly, this request, in whole or in part, may be subject to disclosure pursuant to RCW 42.56, regardless of any claim of confidentiality or privilege asserted by an external party. -- Redmond.gov  6/30/2025

City To Partner With County On Crisis Response

 

City Plans to Partner with King County's Mobile Rapid Response Crisis Team.

• In 2018, the Police Department launched their co-response model, utilizing a mental health professional on police calls. In 2021, the City expanded to a tiered community health model called THRIVE including homeless outreach, mobile integrated health, and community care coordinators.
•  As an addition to the current program, the Redmond may partner with King County’s Mobile Rapid Response Crisis Team (MRRCT) to provide the city with 24/7 mental health response.
• OUTCOMES: Staff has recommended partnering with MRRCT to provide de-escalation services 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. MRRCT is equipped with two-person units, staffed by behavioral health professionals and peer counselors. The teams respond to incidents involving adults aged 18 and older experiencing mental health crises. 
• King County placed a team in Redmond, stationed at the Together Center  "SOUND," office. although there are other Crisis Teams countywide. All teams are a part of King County’s Behavioral Health Program and the teams are dispatched through 911, 988, or their direct line. 
• Utilizing King County’s services comes at no additional cost to Redmond as it is funded through the King County Crisis Care Levy. 
•  SOURCE:  Committee of the Whole - Public Safety and Human Services (Tuesday, June 17, 2025, 4:30 p.m.)

City PRIDE Month Celebration Goes Dark

As you know, it's PRIDE month with many celebrations around town.  However, in Council's June 3 Businees meeting during the public comment period, PRIDE went dark.

It all started with the first 3-minute testimony by Aeron H.  He's a Redmond transgender and gave an horrific story of humiliation and death threats. He reported it to the police "with a picture, message, and name and the police did nothing, they did NOTHING!"  Fearful, "I stayed locked in my apartment for two months. No wonder PRIDE doesn't trust the police."  

At this point pro tem mayor, President Kritzer stated "in conclusion," signifying that Aeron's allowable 3-mintute speaking time was up.  Councilmember Fields made a motion to suspend the rules and extend the time.  It was seconded by CM Forsythe. 

After 13 minutes of  Council rules discussion and advice from the city attorney, they decided to suspend the 3-minute rule for this one meeting and allow 4-minute testimonies. Councilmember Stuart thanked Aeron for his patience.  Aeron was annoyed, and then went on for over a minute about "targeted hate crimes" and his distrust for the police. 

-- Bob Yoder, 8/13.25 

Source:  6/3/25 Business meeting video of testimonies  (Aeron's testimony starts at 8:00 min.)

(Historically, the comment period at Business meetings had been 4- minutes but the present council reduced it to 3-minutes; Councilmember David Carson had strong objections to this limitation.) 

Redmond, A Welcoming City / Immigration Enforcement

Redmond is a welcoming city, with a strong commitment to cultivating an inclusive community, where everyone feels valued, supported, and connected. The City actively creates an environment where all residents can fully access city services, influence local policy, and feel a sense of belonging and safety. In 2017 and 2020, the City Council passed resolutions No. 1465 and No. 1534, respectively, affirming its commitment towards a culturally inclusive community, as well declaring Redmond as a hate free zone. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The Redmond Police Department would like to provide some clarification after recent inquiries from residents concerned about immigration enforcement and possible future interaction with immigration officials.

What is the Redmond Police Department’s role in immigration enforcement?
The Police Department does not enforce immigration violations. State law and department policy prohibit Redmond Police officers from asking or collecting information about a person’s immigration or citizenship status, unless there is a connection with a state or local criminal investigation, and officers may not detain a person solely to determine immigration status.

Will the police report me or give my information to immigration authorities?
Under state law and policy, the Department is restricted from sharing information with immigration officials, except under certain circumstances as required by law, such as a valid court order.

Will the police help immigration officials with raids or other operations?
The Redmond Police Department would not typically be involved in federal immigration operations at all. If requested, the Department would provide only support services, such as traffic control or peacekeeping efforts for public safety reasons.

What should I do if immigration officials approach me or knock on my door and want to talk to me?
Review these Northwest Immigrant Rights Project materials.

Redmond Police Celebrates 'Monumental' FAA Drone Decision

Redmond Police Drone Center

Redmond Police celebrates 'monumental' decision by FAA that approves drone use on more 911 calls. 

Below, is a link to King 5 video story on the Redmond Police Department's innovative drone program ... leading the way within western Washington State: 

https://www.king5.com/video/tech/redmond-police-celebrating-monumental-decision-by-faa-that-approves-drone-use-on-more-911-calls/281-6fefce2c-e35d-4851-84dc-51838ff6c66f

-- King 5, 11/26/24

Police Chief Lowe Named To Brown's Transition Committee

 

Redmond Police Chief Named to Attorney General-Elect Brown’s Transition Committee

REDMOND, WA - Attorney General-Elect Nick Brown announced on Tuesday, Dec. 3, the advisors who will serve on his transition committee. The 30-person team will assist Brown as he prepares to take office.

Brown’s transition team will include Redmond Police Chief Darrell Lowe, who is also president of the WA Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs.

“I’m honored to be part of Attorney General-Elect Brown’s transition team and to provide law enforcement and leadership insights and perspectives he might find useful in setting up his new administration,” said Chief Lowe. 

Comprised of civic leaders from every part of the state, transition committee members will lend expertise from law enforcement, state government, business, non-profits, labor, and tribal affairs.

According to the announcement, the committee will be tasked with establishing Brown’s office and sharpening his agenda and key priorities.   

CITY WATCH: Updated Community Notes

NOTES ON THE STORM:    

Lots of comments at tonight's Council meeting on the severe cyclone wind storm.  

One lady complained that the warming stations closed at 8pm.  The community center closed at 8pm.  There was no place to go; no plan.  

Redmond AM 1650 emergency radio wasn't updated or current.  (It's available only in vehicles.) 

I'm a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteer and saw no others during my trek outside.  I had to wave a woman with her toddler away from a downed power line.  She couldn't speak English. 

I was shocked to hear from a reader the City discontinued the CERT program.  He thought Councilmember Forsythe might know why.  Over 35 - 8 week CERT classes were held, now unorganized and unrefreshed.  When the next "Big One" comes our neighborhoods we will be unprepared. 

NOTES ON PLYMOUTH HOUSING and SILVER CLOUD:  

Plymouth Permanent Supportive Housing is expected to open late 2026.  Evan Sexton, the Plymouth marketing employee said Plymouth will hold open public office hours at the Together Center the second Wednesday of each month, 11am-2pm.  He said they've already had one Advisory Committee meeting. 

The county's Silver Cloud permanent housing staff are looking for community volunteers for the 15 residents housed there. 12 staff members work there!  Staff leaders give me the go-around when I try to help.  

ELECTRIC FIRE ENGINES:   Council President Kritzer prided the city about including the e-fire engine equipment on the budget.  Redmond is the first city on the west coast to pay for one. It was a race with Bellevue.     

CITY ISSUES $100 GIFT CARDS for select citizens participating in a 2-hour workshop on EV infrastructure and EV experiences.  The workshop will be held at the Senior & Community Center where charging stations are located.    

The Mayor purchased 5 new gas-powered snow plows and gave them names.  

-- Bob Yoder, 12/3/24

Updated: Bomb Cyclone Hits Anderson Park

Four Anderson Park landmark trees were blown down in the same western direction by the eastern winds of the "bomb cyclone.".  

This landmark fir crashed into the well pump station and snapped in half.  Amazingly, it was the only park structure hit by a tree.  Power lines down.  No CERT volunteers present.

This park cottonwood fell in a western direction like all the rest.  The large root

balls will be saved and used in rivers, streams, mitigation banks, for erosion control, soil preservation and salmon habitat.  The city does a great job of installing them in Bear Creek, the Sammamish River. and their flood plains.  These 70-year+ old trees are irreplaceable.  

Photos by Yoder, day after the November 21 "bomb cyclone" 

Posted 11/22/24, updated 11/23

License Plate Readers, 22 Camera Readers To Be Installed

License Plate Reader / Flock

In a 8/5/24 regular meeting Council approved funds to implement the "Flock" license plate reader program.  Installation of 22 cameras and subscription cost for two years are priced at $93,534.40.  It's likely the Mayor will finance the balance through the General Fund or Capital Investment Program.      

THE PROGRAM:   Strategically located intersections are identified within the City to place the "Flock" cameras to capture the most license plates entering and leaving the City limits. 

Councilmember Steve Fields made a point to say the program will not infringe on people's privacy. 

The concept of this approach is for officers and dispatchers to be alerted whenever a “Wanted” or “Hot List” vehicle or vehicle used in the commission of a crime is captured on a Flock camera. Officers will respond to the area and look for the vehicle based on the last known location. Vehicles typically placed on “Hot Lists” include stolen vehicles, wanted persons connected to vehicles, and missing persons. 

-- Re-posted by Yoder, 10/17/24 

   Source 8/5/24 Council meeting

UPDATED 10/13: Council Notes: Funding For "Mini City Hall" and Avondale Water Main Replacement

Redmond City Hall

The City is asking our State legislature to fund significant projects next session, as follows:     

1) $1,024,475 to replace several miles of aging, brittle asbestos water main pipe on Avondale Road NE.  In addition, pavement will be re-surfaced for a total cost of $3.3M. 

The pipes "are brittle," with numerous breaks in the last five years.  Key concerns are: 

• Health and water quality
• Impacts to salmon-bearing streams
• Fire protection 

2)  $618,000 for 1,700 sf city service space ("Mini City Hall") in the Overlake Bellwether building.  With State funding the following services would be provided by 2028:  

• customer service
• police desk
• mobile integrated health
• translation services (42% of residents are foreign born)
• multi-cultural lobby with rotating art
• 333 units for low and moderate income (30-80% AMI) families and individuals. 
• access to light rail - across street from the Overlake Station. 

Source:  Amy Tsai, Redmond's

Chief Policy Advisor

Council Study Session, 10/8/24

Updated: "Council Conversations" In The Downtown Park

Downtown Park COUNCIL CONVERSATIONS, The Safety Table / photo Yoder

I sat in at three tables conversing with councilmembers and residents at the busy Safety table, Environmental Sustainablity table and Miscellaneous table.  Council V.P. Jessica Forsythe presided over the Safety Table. Feedback from a resident/family living in a downtown apartment was especially interesting.  He wanted stop signs placed on Cleveland Street intersections and other downtown intersections -- said he saw pedestrians getting mildly brushed.  He said Uber drivers were the worst; always looking at their cell phones. Another guy complained about gangs that prey on residents for their belongings. He thought only 4 - 6 police officers patrolled the whole city and asked for 16 more officers.  I think Jessica said the department had over 140 officers (traffic, patrol, detective, drone, criminal, crime etc.) with plans for 4 more.  CM (councilmember) Fields asked why the need for 16 more officers?  I questioned the need for council taxing their city utilities and raising the business tax to fund a $6 million dollar public safety gap. IMO, the .25% city excise tax on construction was funding enough. 

I briefly sat in at CM Stuart's Environmental Sustainablity Table. Trees were a topic of great interest.  One resident said low income housing developments "lit up the heat map" owing to significant tree loss. Ms. Stuart said our canopy goal was 40%.  We're at about 38% canopy now.  Ms. Stuart alluded to the Master Builders lawsuit against Kirkland. The city has kept our existing 2018 Tree Regulations as is for 16 years (!) and now the new, approved Update has been delayed for two years longer because of the lawsuit, with no end is sight.  So, 40% goal seems out of reach. I suggested focusing on park and street trees like we have in the Downtown Park. Ms. Stuart lives in Overlake; she knows about the green roof installations on many of the buildings there.  My feedback was the city needs code for encouragement of "green roofs" in all downtown construction projects. At least three developments (villages) are planned for Redmond by 2050 and we need green roofs and wall gardens in those buildings,  

CM Stuart took this opportunity to update us on Sound Transit's light rail progress to our downtown. It was very interesting. I believe she said it will reach our downtown by mid-2025 and cross the bridge by late 2026.  I'm not light rail has something to do with our environment, but maybe in part.  I met Council President Vanessa Kritzer after the event; she spoke of a green vegetative - tree ring around the City one day.

Conversations didn't stop after the event was formally over.  I chatted with two on-duty police officers about "speed cameras."  It re-enforced my belief `they would consistently slow my "speed" around schools, but the ramifications to traffic congestion are unknown. I had a 25-minute talk with Andrew Villeneuve about our "news desert."   He wants to start an online newspaper and I plan to help him.  

Councilmember Fields has been pushing for neighborhood Conversations for years.  This one was a total winner and weather permitting, I hope we have many more!  Thank you Steve.  

-- Bob Yoder, 10/1/2024

[All  the councilmembers participated except for Angie.  Retired councilmembers Pat Vache' and Hank Myers were present. Sue Stewart, Kiwanis Secretary and Siri Bliesner retired LWSD Director, and active member of Civic Genius were present.  

[Siri is starting a Civic Genius roundtable on affordable housing.  "Deliberative Democracy" is at their core. If you would like to join Siri please email her at: siri@ourcivicgenious.org]  

NBC Interviews Police Chief Lowe On First Responder Drones

"Redmond is one of the first in police departments in the U.S. to implement drones as first responders to get to the scene faster. But the drones pose privacy concerns." - NBC News’ David Noreiga has the latest on the tech transforming policing.

Posted by Yoder

9/16/2024

"Take Me Home" Police Program

Organized Crime Group Targeting Asian Community

 

CONTACT

Jill Green, Redmond Police Department Public Information Officer
jgreen@redmond.gov
425-556-2627

Police Warn Public about Organized Crime Group Targeting Asian Community

 REDMOND, WA - The Redmond Police Department is asking community members to stay vigilant following a string of robberies in Redmond and nearby cities. The suspects are believed to be part of a Romanian organized crime group targeting elderly members of the East Indian community.

Suspects in these crimes, typically driving SUV rental vehicles, approach victims who are walking on sidewalks or in parking lots. Usually, a male driver and one or more female passengers contact victims by asking for directions or offering to trade jewelry. While engaging the victims in conversation, the suspects attempt to place costume jewelry on the victim and either swap it out for authentic jewelry or take it by force.

Five recent cases have involved female suspects wearing long dresses who use distraction techniques to steal valuable jewelry. Fortunately, the victims have not sustained serious injuries.

“These are not Hate crimes, but rather crimes of opportunity where the thieves travel around affluent neighborhoods and search for potentially vulnerable victims,” said Chief Darrell Lowe. “We encourage community members to be aware of their surroundings when walking alone outside and avoid wearing valuables.”

Redmond police ask everyone to use caution when approached by strangers in vehicles and not accept gifts from them. It is safest to travel in groups, especially when walking. If possible, leave jewelry and valuables locked in a safe when walking alone.

Anyone approached by strangers offering to trade or sell jewelry should contact law enforcement. For crimes within the City of Redmond, please call the Redmond Police Department at 425-556-2500.

UPDATED 10/1/24 City denies Redmond Pot Shop's Request To Install Bollards A Month befor...

KOMO NEWS, 9/5/2024

The owner lined the perimeter of his store with heavy 6-foot cement blocks firmly bolted ~ 2 inches from the sidewalk and utility box cover. Electric bikes and pedestrians are safely walking and running on the sidewalks.  The city didn't pay for these safety enhancements. It's not know if they will amend their code.   

PART 1: Council Approves License Plate Readers

 

PART ONE:  In an ongoing effort to address the increased rate of auto thefts and other crimes, the police department remains committed to using pursuit alternative technology.  

To that end, Council approved the police department's request to accept a $94,968,30 grant to fund installation of 22 automated license plate readers in strategic locations for the cameras and a subscription cost for two years. 

Flock Safety is the chosen vendor. 

Flock cameras have nothing to do with citizen habits of every day driving.  They will be used exclusively to reduce auto thefts and other crimes. 

Reported by Bob Yoder / Source:  Council 8/5/24 Business Meeting memo.