Mercer Island Police Department

05/22/2026

King County Sheriff's Office presented Mercer Island Police Department Officers Shannon Johnson (pictured, at left) and Jordan Tranter (second from right) with the King County Lifesaving Award for their heroic actions during an ice rescue that occurred on Fish Lake in Chelan County in early February.

KCSO Special Operations Division Chief Jose Marenco (right) and King County Marine Patrol Sergeant Rich Barton (second from left) presented the awards in recognition of the officers’ swift response and lifesaving efforts after a person fell through the ice. They were part of a 20-person crew who were fortuitously participating in an ice rescue training session nearby when they witnessed a man punch through the ice and into the 35-degree water. The entire team sprang into action to pluck the man from the icy water, saving his life.

The professionalism, teamwork, and dedication to public safety of Officers Tranter and Johnson reflect the highest standards of service and commitment to the community.

05/11/2026

A HUGE KUDOS to MIPD Officer Phan!!! This award is terrific recognition of her dedicated service to the MIHS community!!!

👏🌹Congratulations to Mercer Island Police Department School Resource Officer Olivia Phan (MIHS Class of 2017) on receiving the Outstanding Community Partner Award at the MIHS PTSA Annual Awards ceremony this morning.

The Community Partner award recognizes a Mercer Island business or organization that goes above and beyond standard expectations to help and facilitate the work and mission of MIHS PTSA, including helping to build a cooperative relationship between students, schools, and community.

MIHS senior Marin Frank introduced Olivia and presented her the award.

04/22/2026

On Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the City of Mercer Island and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will host the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day to collect tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription drugs.

For more than a decade, the event has helped Americans easily rid their homes of unneeded medications—those that are old, unwanted, or expired—that too often become a gateway to addiction.

• When: Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Where: Mercer Island City Hall Loading Dock (9611 SE 36th Street)

Take Back Day has removed 19.2 million pounds (9,600 tons) of medication from circulation since its inception.

For more information on what will/won't be accepted visit https://www.mercerisland.gov/yfs/page/prescription-drug-take-back-day-0

04/17/2026

⚠️ Scam Alert! The Mercer Island Police Department (MIPD) is warning residents and business owners about an increase in fraudulent locksmith stickers being placed on commercial buildings throughout the area.
These stickers often advertise locksmith services with phone numbers that may be linked to scam operations. Individuals who call these numbers may be overcharged, receive substandard service, or become victims of fraud.

What to watch for:
• Stickers placed near door locks, entryways, or building exteriors
• Generic or unfamiliar company names
• Phone numbers without a local or verifiable business presence

What you can do:
• Only use locksmith companies you know and trust
• Verify businesses before calling—look for established, reputable providers
• Remove suspicious stickers if found on your property
• Remain alert for any unusual or suspicious activity

If you observe someone placing these stickers or notice suspicious circumstances, call the MIPD's non-emergency line: 425-577-5656.

04/15/2026

***UPDATE: The class is now full***

A popular Pet First Aid class for the community will return on Saturday, May 16, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center. This free class for Island residents and businesses, taught by a Mercer Island Police Department police support officer, will cover a variety of topics, including what to do in an emergency, common pet injuries and toxicities, pet CPR, and more. Due to anticipated high demand, register early to reserve a spot: https://www.mercerisland.gov/police/page/pet-first-aid-class-0

03/19/2026

It’s been a busy March for Mercer Island Police Department (MIPD) officers, who have had many opportunities to engage with and assist the community. From daring rescues to coffee shop chats, here’s just a glimpse of what they've been up to:

Above and Beyond (the Retaining Wall): Officer McDowell proved that "protect and serve" extends to our four-legged residents, too! When a local pup took an accidental leap over a retaining wall and ended up trapped in thick sticker bushes, he didn't hesitate. Armed with an axe and some serious determination, he successfully extricated the dog. We’re happy to report the pup is safe, and the owner was ecstatic! 🐕✨

Starting Young with Safety: Officer Udodik from our Crime Prevention Team spent some quality time at Bright Horizons childcare center, where she spoke with some of our youngest residents about staying safe!

Coffee & Conversation: Chief Michelle Bennett and several officers recently set up shop at Starbucks for some face-to-face time with the community. They covered everything from neighborhood safety to the best way to report concerns.

Learn all about MIPD's great work serving the community: https://www.mercerisland.gov/police

03/13/2026

Please avoid visiting Mercer Island parks at this time. Accumulated snow may cause falling trees and branches. For safety information, please review the City's Snow and Ice Response Plan, which includes priority plowing routes, winter weather driving tips, and emergency protocols: https://www.mercerisland.gov/publicworks/page/snow-and-ice-response-plan

03/11/2026

Be prepared for a potentially difficult evening commute due to a Wind Advisory issued by the National Weather Service for 3pm this afternoon (Wednesday) through Thursday morning. Peak winds will arrive right around the evening commute so take extra care while you are on the road.
Expect southwest winds from 25-30mph with gusts up to 50mph with peak winds in the evening.

Slow down. Leave extra room. Watch for blowing debris. Treat all dark intersections as four-way-stops. And don’t forget to fill your gas tank and charge your devices and EV.

The National Weather Service has issued a Wind Advisory for King County from 3 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon through 6 a.m. on Thursday morning.

Southwest winds from 25-30mph with gusts up to 50mph are expected with peak winds in the evening between 7 and 11 p.m.

Take action now by securing loose items around your home and be prepared for power outages. Fill your gas tank and charge devices and your EV.

Contact Puget Sound Energy to report outages and downed power lines: 1-888-225-5773 or https://www.pse.com/en/outage

To report downed trees/limbs blocking roadways, contact the City of Mercer Island: call customer service (206) 275-7600 or submit a service request: www.mercerisland.gov/servicerequest

After hours, call the non-emergency line (425) 577-5656. Call 911 immediately for any emergency.

02/26/2026

Get your morning pick-me-up and get to know your local police officers at Coffee with a Cop on Saturday, March 7, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the North End Starbucks (7620 SE 27th St).

Newly appointed Mercer Island Police Department (MIPD) Chief Michelle Bennett and several officers will be available to chat about what’s happening in the community, address safety concerns, and answer questions. MIPD thanks Starbucks for partnering to host this community-building event. For more information, visit: https://www.mercerisland.gov/police/page/coffee-cop-march-7

02/21/2026

Mercer Island drivers, let’s keep our neighbors safe. Remember, motorists must stop for pedestrians in all crosswalks—whether marked or unmarked. This is not just best practice, it’s the law.

When a pedestrian is present, remain stopped until they have completely cleared your lane. In school zones, you must wait until the crossing guard has returned to the sidewalk before proceeding. Also, never pass a vehicle stopped for a pedestrian.

Safety is a shared responsibility. Drivers, stay alert, ditch the distractions, and slow down. Pedestrians, make eye contact with drivers and look both ways before crossing. Let’s ensure everyone makes it home safely!

02/12/2026

***UPDATE: The class is now full***

Calling all pet parents! Ever wondered what you’d do if your furry best friend had an emergency? For the first time ever, the Mercer Island Police Department is hosting a Pet First Aid class for Mercer Island residents and businesses! Join our MIPD police support officer on Saturday, Feb. 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to learn pet CPR, handling common injuries, identifying hidden toxicities, and more!

Seats are limited and will go fast! The class is free, but registration is required by visiting: http://www.mercerisland.gov/petfirstaid Don’t wait—secure your spot today and gain the peace of mind your pet deserves. 🐶🐱