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Eagle PD adds grant-funded motorcycle traffic deputy, reports missing juvenile and large drug seizure
Summary
The Eagle Police Department introduced its new motorcycle traffic deputy, Dustin Lauritsen, and reported a missing juvenile case, a 2-kilo narcotics seizure and a $104,000 restitution returned to a fraud victim.
Eagle — The Eagle Police Department on Feb. 20 introduced Deputy Dustin Lauritsen as the city’s new motorcycle traffic enforcement deputy, a position funded by a grant from the Idaho Office of Highway Safety.
Chief Travis Ruby told the council Lauritsen successfully completed an 80-hour motorcycle training course and will spend the bulk of his time on traffic enforcement and visibility patrols. Ruby said the department sought the grant-backed position to improve traffic safety and to respond to high-speed incidents on city roads.
“We want to ensure Eagle is a safer place to live, work and play,” Ruby said while introducing Lauritsen, who was at the meeting in full motor officer equipment.
Why it matters
Council members and staff emphasized that a dedicated traffic deputy will increase high-visibility enforcement, a tool the department uses to reduce speeding and the risk of serious crashes. Ruby cited a recent enforcement stop where a vehicle was measured at 99 mph in wet weather as an example of the kind of dangerous driving the unit will target.
Other monthly highlights
- Missing juvenile: The department said it was actively investigating a reported missing juvenile and asked the public to check the Eagle Police Department social media channels for updates and to report any information that might assist the search.
- Narcotics seizure: Deputy Brandon Fitzpatrick located and stopped a vehicle in the Eagle area with an estimated two kilograms of illegal drugs, including fentanyl and methamphetamine, the chief said.
- Fraud restitution: Detective Kirkpatrick — the department’s fraud investigator — recovered approximately $104,000 and returned those funds to a local resident who had been defrauded in a long-running case involving online scams and cryptocurrencies, Ruby reported.
Community outreach and training
Ruby said the department uses social media and community engagement to amplify safety messages and to solicit information in missing-person cases. He also noted Deputy Lauritsen planned to participate in the Police Unity Tour bicycle ride in Washington, D.C., to honor fallen officers.
Ending
The council received the report and asked the department to continue coordinating traffic-enforcement priorities with public-works and other local partners as downtown mobility work proceeds.
