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East Wenatchee police report: fentanyl-related deaths rise; K-9 program and SWAT deployments highlighted
Summary
Police Chief Johnson presented the department’s 2024 annual report showing a rise to 37 overdose deaths in Chelan and Douglas counties, large drug seizures by the local task force, roughly 7,500 calls for service, increased SWAT activity and details about the newly deployed K-9 program.
Chief Johnson delivered the East Wenatchee Police Department’s 2024 annual report at the March 18 council meeting, highlighting a rise in local overdose deaths, increased drug seizures and ongoing workload pressures for patrol staff.
Johnson said training hours averaged 117 per employee in 2024, well above the state minimum of 24 hours. He said Chelan and Douglas counties recorded 37 overdose deaths in 2024, up from 20 the prior year; he described most deaths as fentanyl and methamphetamine polydrug overdoses and said the region is part of a statewide fentanyl epidemic.
The county drug task force logged a large…
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