Wasco police report: 1,572 incidents in February, 98 arrests; department cites outreach programs

Wasco Police Chief Moore told the City Council the department recorded 1,572 total incidents for February, including 898 calls for service and 674 officer‑initiated incidents. "Calls for service are 898," he said, and added that officers handled 297 traffic stops, issued 81 citations and 16 moving‑violation citations. "Total arrests for the month were 98," Moore said, adding that officers worked 167 cases.

Chief Moore said officers took nine stolen‑vehicle reports and recovered three, and that the city saw 13 traffic collisions in February, seven of them DUI‑related. He also described a DUI checkpoint on Feb. 28: 157 vehicles passed through the checkpoint, 79 were screened and three citations issued; saturation patrol after 11 p.m. produced 11 traffic stops, two citations and one DUI arrest.

The chief briefed the council on non‑enforcement programs as well. He said a five‑year robotics and STEM education program ended Feb. 19 with 10 youth participants and that volunteers were instrumental to the program. "Those are crucial skills to have in today's workforce," he said. He also noted a mobile health clinic scheduled for March 16 at Powell from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Councilmembers praised the department’s community engagement. Mayor Pro Tem Reina and other members lauded an outreach Lotería event that drew roughly 40 participants, and Chief Moore credited staff and volunteers for the event’s success. Councilmembers also asked that officers continue visible enforcement where vehicles create pedestrian‑safety risks at intersections.

The council did not take formal action on the report; staff and councilmembers asked follow‑up questions about outreach schedules and agreed to share additional activity numbers in future updates.