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Lakewood police, West Pierce Fire & Rescue brief commission on shooting, wildfire preparedness and emergency access
Summary
Police reported a mass shooting at Harrington Park with seven people shot; the department said one individual who had been seriously hurt is now stable and arrests are expected. West Pierce Fire & Rescue briefed commissioners on wildfire training, RedCard certifications, and options for residential Knox-style key boxes and dispatch notification.
The Lakewood Police Department and West Pierce Fire & Rescue gave updates to the commission on recent public-safety incidents and preparedness measures.
The police chief reported that seven people were shot at Harrington Park the prior Friday. “We do plan to make arrest in this case,” the police chief said, adding that prosecution will take time because of the number of witnesses and the need to develop a full picture for the prosecutor. The chief said one person who had been in serious condition is now listed as stable and that the other victims have been released from the hospital.
The chief also gave a department-wide crime update, saying some crime categories were down year to date, including aggravated assaults, burglaries and motor-vehicle thefts.
West Pierce Fire & Rescue staff described wildfire-preparedness work and interagency coordination. “We certified, I believe, a 39 of our firefighters as RedCard, certified investment specific for wildlands,” the West Pierce representative said, noting the department has trained crews and two-person “squad” units for lower-acuity brush response and is working with the county on a community wildfire protection plan.
On nonemergency access and home safety, staff discussed residential key boxes (often called Knox boxes). Fire staff said homeowners may purchase a box, provide the code to dispatch and list the device in dispatch preplans so police and fire can access the home without forced entry. The fire representative noted a commercial residential Knox-style box costs about $400; staff suggested a lower-cost keyed box and coordination with South Sound 911 dispatch as alternatives.
Commissioners also discussed warm-weather planning and coalition coordination for vulnerable residents, and said they will continue work on outreach and mutual-aid planning ahead of summer.
