Goldendale police report 329 calls and 14 arrests last month; chief touts free drug-awareness magazine distribution

Goldendale Police Chief Mike Smith told the City Council the department handled 329 calls for service last month and made 14 arrests.

“Calls were 329 calls for service, so 14 arrests,” Chief Smith said. He provided a breakdown of the main reported categories: eight thefts, three property-damage cases, three violations of no-contact orders (two arrests), 17 domestic-violence assaults (six arrests), three stolen vehicles, one vehicle prowl, two drug cases, three warrant arrests, 12 disorderly-conduct incidents, three weapons offenses, six trespassing calls and 49 citizen assists. Traffic-related calls numbered 37 with three arrests; welfare checks were 16; suspicious circumstances 31; and agency assists 23.

Smith also described a free outreach opportunity: a law-enforcement publication producing a drug-awareness magazine and educational materials for schools and families. The publisher solicits advertising from local businesses to cover production costs; Chief Smith listed several local sponsors that had committed, including Goldendale Market Fresh, Goldendale Pharmacy, State Farm and others, and said the city would receive copies for distribution. “They have a whole magazine, that they're publishing for us,” he said.

Council members asked for category detail and whether types of crimes had changed; Chief Smith said many suspicious-caller incidents and some assaults were tied to drug use. He noted the state’s changing drug laws when discussing underlying causes but did not cite a specific statute.

Why this matters: the monthly statistics provide a snapshot of calls and arrests that inform department staffing, response priorities and community outreach. The free magazine represents a community-education tool the department plans to use in schools and with parents.

The council did not take formal action based solely on the report.