The Redmond Police Department continues to work around the clock, answering 911 calls, patrolling our City and helping our community. However, our 911 dispatch center has been receiving numerous calls with non-emergency COVID-19 related questions.
"Our ability to serve Redmond and respond to emergency needs has not changed because of the current "Stay Home, Stay, Healthy" order," said Redmond Police Chief Darrell Lowe. "Our goal is to make sure the public knows where to find all the answers to their questions while freeing up our 911 staff for actual emergencies.
Please call 911 if you have a police, fire or medical emergency, to report a serious crime, or are witnessing suspicious or criminal activity. Tell the dispatcher if you are experiencing any flu-like symptoms so that responders can take proper protective precautions.
Here are some of the questions we have received and where to find commonly requested resources:
Q: Are police arresting people for violating the state "Stay Home, Stay Healthy" order?
A: No. Redmond police are responding to reports of gatherings in public and trespassing on closed facilities and will be educating to gain voluntary compliance on the Governor's order. The Governor is not asking law enforcement, including the King County Sheriff's Office and Redmond Police, to actively enforce the stay at home order. Businesses violating the Governor's order can be reported to the state here.
Q: Do I need to have a letter stating I am an essential worker from my employer? Will an officer stop my vehicle to see if I work for an essential business?
A: No, the Governor's order has not directed law enforcement to enforce the "Stay Home, Stay Healthy," order. Redmond police will not be asking community members if they are essential employees. For more information on the State's determination of "essential business" visit https://www.coronavirus.wa.gov/business-workers
Q: Can I go for a walk in the park or on the trails?
A: Yes, going outside for a walk on our trails and around the City of Redmond is permitted. Just practice social distancing and stay at least six feet away from other people. City parks and trails will remain open for drop-in use. However, picnic shelters, playgrounds, play structures, sports fields, sports courts, most restrooms, and the skate park are officially closed. https://www.redmond.gov/1359/Current-Cancellations
Q: Which businesses are supposed to be closed?
A: All businesses deemed non-essential have been directed to close by Governor Inslee. For information on what businesses are allowed to remain open visit https://www.coronavirus.wa.gov/whats-open-and-closed/essential-business
Q: Can I park on the street without getting a ticket?
A: While laws related to parking on City streets have not changed, the City is currently not enforcing on-street time-limited parking in Downtown only through April 30. Temporary 5-minute food and beverage parking signs have been distributed to businesses in Downtown, and we ask the community to honor those signs in support of our restaurants who are offering to-go orders. https://www.redmond.gov/636/Downtown-Parking
Q: Will my Concealed Pistol License (CPL) expire while the Public Safety building is closed?
A: If the expiration date passes, the CPL will expire, regardless of if the police department is open to the public or not. However, we are processing renewals, late renewals, and replacement CPLs through the mail only, not over the phone. We are not able to process original applications at this time because we suspended in-person fingerprinting. For information on how to renew or replace your CPL go to https://www.redmond.gov/1056/Commonly-Requested-Resources
For more information please contact RPD Public Information Officer, Andrea Wolf-Buck, at awolf-buck@redmond.gov or 425-556-2545.
For questions about the COVID-19 virus, please call the Washington State Department of Health call center at 1-800-525-0127.
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