Ellensburg Police Department

09/01/2026

September is National Preparedness Month. The Ellensburg Police Department encourages everyone to take a few simple steps now to be better prepared for emergencies.

✅ Build an emergency kit with water, food, medications, flashlights, batteries, and important documents.
✅ Make a family communication plan, including an out-of-area contact.
✅ Sign up for local emergency alerts and know how to receive official information.
✅ Consider the needs of children, older adults, pets, and neighbors.
✅ Review evacuation routes and keep your vehicle fueled and ready.

Preparedness helps our community respond more safely to emergencies—from severe weather and wildfires to power outages and other unexpected events.

Visit Ready.gov for practical preparedness resources, and follow local official channels for emergency information.

08/31/2026

Please join our community, today, from 1–3 p.m. at Mountain View Park in Ellensburg to remember those impacted by overdose and support their loved ones.

In recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day, our building has been illuminated in purple.

We join communities around the world in raising awareness, working to prevent overdose deaths, honoring those who have lost their lives without stigma, and recognizing the grief carried by the families, friends, and loved ones left behind.

If you or someone you know is battling with substance use disorder, please reach out. Here are some local resources ready to help:

• Recovery Navigator: Available at 509-643-8497
• Treatment/Detox (CMH): Call 509-925-9861
• Merit Substance Use Disorders: Contact at 509-925-9821
• Peers Rising: Phone 509-968-5224
• Parent-Child Assistance Program: Available at 509-907-1105
• Hub and Spoke Program: Reach out at 509-607-6015
• Sundown M Ranch Treatment Program: Call 509-457-0990

Together, we can support compassion, connection, and hope.

08/28/2026

Flashback Friday: 1973

Back when radios crackled, report writing meant a typewriter, and the watch rolled out with a little more polyester, here’s a look back at the crew keeping Ellensburg squared away in 1973.

This was the squad answering the call, working the beat, backing one another up, and serving the community long before digital records, body cameras, and mobile data terminals.

Front row, L–R: Mike Brown, Ty Hugues, Ben Smith, Scott Mann, Bud Vogt, Mike Noski
Second row: Rick Chubb, Bobby Cannon, Emily Simer, Sandra Knudson, Kathy Standish, Doug Driver, Don Hiner, Don Morrison
Third row: Tom Young, Ken Pless, Bob Case, John Harris, Al Sherman, Tom Pratt, Wayne Chandler, John T. Larsen

A salute to the officers and staff who wore the badge, handled the paperwork, and kept the wheels turning.

08/27/2026

🚨 COP ON TOP IS TODAY! 🚨

Join us today, Thursday, August 27, from 12:00–6:00 PM at the Fred Meyer roof area for a fun community event supporting our local Special Olympics athletes! 🏅

Local law-enforcement leaders will be “stranded” on the roof to raise awareness and collect donations for this great cause.

🎒 Back-to-School Backpacks
The first 125 kids to arrive will receive a backpack, lowered down from the roof!

🎁 Goodie Bags
Goodie bags will be lowered from the roof throughout the event for kids to enjoy.

🎟️ Raffle Drawings at 6:00 PM
You do not need to be present to win!

$5 Raffle Ticket Prizes
⛽ Gift certificate for 50 gallons of fuel — donated by A-1 Petroleum
🏄 Inflatable paddle board package with accessory bag, leash, paddle, and two-way hand pump — donated by Twin Pines Drive-In

$1 Raffle Ticket Prizes
🪑 Outdoor package: two chairs and a cooler
🔥 Five five-gallon propane refills

💯 All proceeds directly support our local Special Olympics athletes. Stop by, have some fun, and help make a difference! See you there!

08/26/2026

Driver Booked After Ramming Federal Vehicles in Ellensburg

On the morning of August 26, 2026, the Ellensburg Police Department was dispatched by Kittcom to a report of a hit-and-run collision involving a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement vehicle.

Ellensburg officers learned that federal officers had attempted to take an individual into custody as part of their enforcement duties. During that encounter, the driver of the vehicle involved intentionally rammed three federal law enforcement vehicles before fleeing the area.

Federal officers located the vehicle and determined the suspects had fled on foot. After a brief search, Federal officers placed both suspects into custody. Ellensburg Police officers took custody of the driver, who was booked into jail on three felony counts of Assault in the Second Degree and three gross misdemeanor counts of Hit and Run—Attended Vehicle. The passenger remained in federal custody.

The Ellensburg Police Department was not aware of, nor involved in, the original federal enforcement activity.

The Ellensburg Police Department reaffirms that its officers do not assist federal immigration authorities with civil immigration enforcement. The Ellensburg Police Department will always investigate and take appropriate action on criminal incidents in our jurisdiction.

Residents should not hesitate to call 911 when they need help, regardless of immigration status.

This is an ongoing investigation. Upon completion, the details will be forwarded to the Kittitas County Prosecutor’s Office.

Contact PIO Cameron Clasen for further inquiry.

08/26/2026

RODEO WEEKEND PARKING REMINDER

As Ellensburg Rodeo weekend approaches, parking near the fairgrounds will change to help accommodate the increased number of visitors. Please keep these reminders in mind to avoid a parking ticket:

RPZ parking areas will be available for public parking during rodeo weekend.

Do not reserve public parking spaces. Cones, chairs, coolers, ladders, lawn gnomes, inflatable flamingos, hay bales, homemade “No Parking” signs, or any other objects may not be used to save a public parking space. Public parking is first come, first served.

All 15-minute parking spaces in front of the City Pool on 6th Avenue will be converted to disabled parking for the weekend. These spaces are intended for individuals who need additional assistance accessing the fairgrounds and will be closely monitored.

Code Enforcement will conduct regular foot patrols throughout the area. Vehicles may be cited for parking in no-parking zones, blocking sidewalks, parking against the direction of traffic, or stopping in the traveled portion of the roadway.

Please watch for posted signs and park responsibly so you can enjoy a fun, safe rodeo weekend without an unexpected parking ticket.

08/25/2026

🚨COP ON TOP IS THIS WEEK! 🚨

📅 Thursday, August 27, 2026
🕛 12 PM – 6 PM
📍 Fred Meyer (Roof Area)
Join us for a high-flying community event where local law enforcement leaders will be "stranded" on the roof of Fred Meyer — all to raise awareness and collect donations for our amazing Special Olympic local athletes! 🏅
🎒 The first 125 kids to arrive will receive a Back-to-School Backpack — lowered down from the roof!
🎁 Goodie bags will also be lowered down throughout the event for kids.
🎟️ Raffle Drawings at 6 PM – You don’t need to be present to win!
$5.00 Raffle Ticket Prizes:
⛽ Gift Certificate for 50 Gallons of Fuel (Gas or Diesel) – Donated by A-1 Petroleum
🏄‍♂️ Inflatable Paddle Board with Accessory Bag, Leash, Paddle, & Two-Way Hand Pump – Donated by Twin Pines Drive-In
$1.00 Raffle Ticket Prizes:
🪑 Outdoor Package (TWO Chairs & Cooler)
🔥 5 x Five-Gallon Propane Refills
💯 All proceeds go directly to supporting our local Special Olympic athletes! Come out, have fun, and make a difference. We hope to see you there!

08/19/2026

🚨 COP ON TOP IS BACK! 🚨
📅 Thursday, August 27, 2026
🕛 12 PM – 6 PM
📍 Fred Meyer (Roof Area)

Join us for a high-flying community event where local law enforcement leaders will be "stranded" on the roof of Fred Meyer — all to raise awareness and collect donations for our amazing Special Olympic local athletes! 🏅

🎒 The first 125 kids to arrive will receive a Back-to-School Backpack — lowered down from the roof!
🎁 Goodie bags will also be lowered down throughout the event for kids.
🎟️ Raffle Drawings at 6 PM – You don’t need to be present to win!

$5.00 Raffle Ticket Prizes:
⛽ Gift Certificate for 50 Gallons of Fuel (Gas or Diesel) – Donated by A-1 Petroleum
🏄‍♂️ Inflatable Paddle Board with Accessory Bag, Leash, Paddle, & Two-Way Hand Pump – Donated by Twin Pines Drive-In

$1.00 Raffle Ticket Prizes:
🪑 Outdoor Package (TWO Chairs & Cooler)
🔥 5 x Five-Gallon Propane Refills

💯 All proceeds go directly to supporting our local Special Olympic athletes! Come out, have fun, and make a difference. We hope to see you there!

08/18/2026

Reminder: International Overdose Awareness Day is Monday, August 31. Please join our community from 1–3 p.m. at Mountain View Park in Ellensburg to remember those impacted by overdose and support their loved ones.

If you or someone you know is battling substance use disorder, please reach out. Here are some local resources ready to help:
• Recovery Navigator: Available at 509-643-8497
• Treatment/Detox (CMH): Call 509-925-9861
• Merit Substance Use Disorders: Contact at 509-925-9821
• Peers Rising: Phone 509-968-5224
• Parent-Child Assistance Program: Available at 509-907-1105
• Hub and Spoke Program: Reach out at 509-607-6015
• Sundown M Ranch Treatment Program: Call 509-457-0990

International Overdose Awareness Day is coming up on Monday, August 31st. Join us from 1 to 3 PM at Mountain View Park in Ellensburg to commemorate community members and loved ones impact by overdose.