We have recieved an excellent report from Police Chief Kevin Milosevich, about what a difference pro-active police work can make on some of the crimes that have been dogging our city in recent years. I am extremely proud of our Chief, and all of Renton’s finest who report to him. Our officers have never once given up any of our city to the bad-guys, no matter how strained the budget’s have been.
This lastest report is an example of exactly what needs to be done on a more regular basis. Chief Milosovich can do this due to council support for more police officers and officer overtime, at the urging of Denis Law’s Public Safety committee, at a time when the mayor wasn’t even keeping open slots filled. Our police department is at the highest level of per-capita manpower that they’ve enjoyed for years, thanks to the insistance of council that we backfill and add positions. The officers know that this is due to Denis Law, Chair of Public Safety, and the rest of us on Council. That is one reason they have endorsed Denis for Mayor, and my council collegues Marcie Palmer and Don Person in their campaigns for reelection.
It took great courage for the police officers to vote to endorse Denis Law over the current mayor, and give Denis Law’s campaign a check for $10,000. No professional finds it easy to tell their top-boss that they want another leader instead. But they did this for YOUR good, the safety of Renton and their desire to make Renton a shining light of public safety. And let’s face it….our police officers have never been lacking for courage. Whether walking into domestic disturbances when guns are in the home, responding to a bank robery in progress, or fooling some thieves into selling an undercover officer some stolen cars, our officers put their lives on the line every day.
Here is Chief Milosovich’s report:
Last night, members of Special Operations, Narcotics, and uniformed patrol officers concluded and undercover operation a buy/bust of Thomas McKee for possession of stolen property.
McKee is a very busy auto/boat thief who usually steals commercial trucks and boats and sells the equipment from them. McKee usually operates in Renton, Bellevue, Kent, and Seatac. Department members used an undercover detective to make 2 controlled buys of numerous stolen property that was valued at over $34,000.
McKee stole 2 different trucks in the last 2 days, which Crime Analyst Shirley Rickman was able to trace to Shoreline and Pierce County, and he attempted to sell us the property he stripped from the trucks.
McKee and accomplice Sean Van Meter were arrested at the Valley Cinemas last night. Both subjects were arrested for multiple counts of Trafficking Stolen Property, and Van Meter had a Felony DOC Escape warrant. McKee is maxed out and is facing a sentencing range of 64-80 months.
This is another example of the purpose for the creation of the Special Operations Division this past year. This division was developed to pro-actively respond to incidents of crime. Response may vary from a strong uniform presence, or by conducting undercover operations.
Special Operations personnel in the last several months have conducted undercover operations that have led to multiple arrests of copper thieves, and have conducted a couple of prostitution stings involving local massage parlors and tanning salons.
While at the same time, this team is flexible to conduct high profile uniform presence at local taverns during closing hours and seven members were on bicycles in Gene Coulon Park on the 4th of July.
Thanks Chief, and thanks to all the officers and staff of the Renton PD!
P.S. Denis Law, Council Candidate Greg Taylor, and I all sat on the selection committee that selected Chief Milosovich (from Renton’s own police ranks) over other national-search candidates to fill this spot. We were proud to select one of Renton’s own for this position, and Chief Milosovich has proven to be an outstanding choice.