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MESSAGE FROM CHIEF BOYLE
COMMUNITY VIOLENCE
As your Chief of police, I would like to acknowledge the violence that has occurred in our community over the last week. We have seen the senseless killing of a sixteen-year-old young man, who was a valued member of our community. Additionally, we lost the life of a community member who was struck by an apparent impaired driver, in addition to lives lost due to the ongoing opioid epidemic as well as suicide. Each of these deaths will undoubtedly have a ripple effect across our community, for all who were involved, from the family members, coworkers, schools, offenders, as well as our first responders and beyond.
I speak directly to our police officers and our partner agencies in expressing my sincerest gratitude for running toward the violence and facing these dangerous challenges head-on. Each of you are the heroes that this community relies on each and every day.
As a community, we cannot become numb to violence, we cannot tolerate violence in any form, and we must work toward solutions that ensure the safety of our community now and for future generations. The decisions we make today on policy, legislation and tolerance for public disorder will shape the community we hand off to the next cohort of community leaders.
I am committed to leading our honorable police officers in a way that partners with community members and organizations to develop strategies that effectively impact crime, while building relationships with the community who are impacted by these tragic events. Moreover, I encourage the community to take a stand against violence, partner with us and other community organizations to create a community that is safe to live, work, visit and that thrives.
-CHIEF SHAWN BOYLE
FAREWELL & CONGRATS!
Law enforcement life means that we are always in a state of change. In this post we acknowledge an officer who made an enormous impact in our organization over the last decade. We say farewell to Sergeant Jeremy Soptich and wish him the best of luck at Oak Harbor Police Department, where he was hired as a Lieutenant earlier this December. Sergeant Soptich was an exceptional patrol officer early in his career, went on to become an extraordinary Special Assault Unit Detective, leading several investigations that brought justice to sexual assault victims, followed by being a great leader and mentor to young officers after he promoted to Sergeant. Sergeant Soptich also led our Peer Support Team and Awards Committee with grace and expertise, and his impact at YPD will be felt for years to come. We appreciate the years he spent with us and know he will be a great addition to the Oak Harbor Police Department.
65 CommentsComment on Facebook
Congratulations sir!
Congratulations Stg. Soptich! It’s been a pleasure meeting & working with you. You will be missed but Oak Harbor PD is blessed to have you!!
A promotion much deserved. You will be missed. Congrats! From Lloyd. 😁
Congratulations!!!
Congratulations sir
Thank you for service, Sergeant Soptich.
Congratulations
Congratulations!
The end of a long era. Since my Dad joined YPD in June of 1975 there has always been a member of my family on YPD. Jeremy is the last to leave. Best of luck in your new role, Jeremy. Oak Harbor is getting a great leader!!
Congratulations!
Congratulations, Lt. Soptich! All of us at Aspen. Victim Advocacy, who had the opportunity it’s to work with you at the Special Assault Unit, are grateful for the way you treated victims of sexual violence and the respect you showed to victim advocates. Wishing you and your family well in Oak Harbor. They are fortunate to have you!
Congratulations to you as you begin the next chapter of your career!
Congratulations! You will be missed here in Yakima. You have made such an impact on so many people especially our students. Good luck on the next chapter of your life. 😊
Congratulations and thank you for your service to our community!🇺🇸
Congratulations Jeremy. We are going to miss you, but they are getting a good guy!
Congratulations Lt. Soptich! Your promotion is well deserved! Thank you for all your service to our community and continued service in law enforcement. We will miss you.
Wish you the best of everything but know you will be missed.
Congratulations Jeremy
Congratulations Jeremy! You will be missed!
Wow 🤩 that’s awesome 👏 wishing you much safety and happiness there stay healthy and safe 🙏🙏
Congratulations!!!
Best of luck in a new adventure, congratulations!
congrats brother we will miss ya
Congrats buddy and best of luck to you
Really hated to lose this guy. Jeremy is a solid individual and will be missed. Good Luck over in Oak Harbor!
NEWS RELEASE
VEHICLE VS PEDESTRIAN COLLISION
34 CommentsComment on Facebook
Are the intersecting streets correct?
There is a guy in wheelchair, usually between Safeway & Pizza Hut on Nob Hill .... watch out for him trying to cross traffic. He has dark clothing, everytime we see him. I sure hope 🙏 he always gets somewhere safely because he is hard to see especially in the dark hours.
Per police report the pedestrian was crossing from west to east. Vehicle was traveling north on 1st st in the curb lane. 1st is 4 lanes so pedestrian had already crossed 3 lanes before being hit. Pedestrian did not jump off curb into path of car. I bet the pedestrian was running in order not to get hit since drivers seem to ignore pedestrians. If driver was speeding it would have caused pedestrian to misjudge the time they had to cross.
If the victim ran into the road way, was he not at fault also? So how is that vehicular homicide? Arrested for DUI, yes, but I want to see a sober person stop when someone runs out in front of them.
I would have to wonder....it says the pedestrian "ran" into the road. Which insinuates that very thing, or they went quickly into the road, and notice...no mention of it saying they used a crosswalk. It sounds like a non- drinking driver could have hit them as well. We are told as driver's to scan with our eyes the surroundings ahead of us. All it takes is one second to look opposite of a pedestrian that decides to go into a traffic area randomly...to hit them. Especially in the dark. Like others have said....so many people wear dark clothing at night. It does not help.
Prayers being sent up so sad my condolences to the victims family
So sad.
And they should be.
How does 1st st. intersect with 6th street???
Please don't drink & drive sadly it's not worth call someone to come get you, prayers to the families 💔 🙏 😢
Prayers to the family of the victim.🙏❤️
Not a good Christmas and new year for the driver 😬😬😬
I read that the victim ran in the road so how it her fault
Yikes with all the new laws into effect she's doing some time 😬
So do we email Darius if we have questions regarding the victim's identity? Or i should say to rule out it being someone.
People jay walk all night out there :/ unfortunate situation for all
And yet the wsp off duty officer is still free and getting paid. For doing the same thing.
She goes to jail and misses Christmas but the state trooper in Richland was released a couple hours later without bail 🤷♂️
So sad for the loss of this person especially on a holiday
If she wasn't drinking she would have been released and no fault.
How am I wrong
YPD IS WORKING WITH ICE!
Asking poeple what happen then Yu post she's drunk. So asking poeple if they seen it. ? Sounds like yr makeg it up?
Don't drink and DRIVE! PLEASE DONT.
That’s what u get for not using proper wearing gear at night and not using side walks !!!
107 CommentsComment on Facebook
EVERYONE is someones Somebody. Our community must commit to prevention resources. The coroner should NOT be a busy man. Especially not during the holidays.
Great words, and I’m thankful for the commitment… But how do us regular citizens take a stand? Make an impact? I’m afraid to go out after dark anymore. What can we each really do!???
Thank officer Boyle ….running away from something never solved anything although this is not my community it is however not to far away and had ripple affects far and wide ….taking these things head on with action involving sincerity , compassion, common sense and good police training undoubtedly makes are people and communities safer , it also falls upon the duty’s as responsible citizens to do our part in reporting and protecting our neighbors and families and those around us ….it does take a village sometimes ….appreciate the hard work 👊🏽😕
This was expressed tenderly and yet so strong at the same time. How I appreciate our police force and the honorable way they handle very difficult and oftentimes very dangerous situations! Thank you YPD and all first responders!
Thank you for this posting! If it gets the attention of even just one person that might think before doing something stupid or violent then that is one less tragedy we will hear about and that will affect someones loved one!🙏💕
See something, say something. Care about each other.
Great words??? Action speaks louder than words,
Yakima is a dangerous city. I worked in CPS there for 20 years. My office was in the Police Station. I saw first hand how dangerous Yakima is. The police put their lives on the line for the community every day! Thx you YPD and the Yakima sheriff’s department.
This reminds me of a shooting that happen down the street from me . Seven people were shot , none died , The new police Chief Rizzi said I can't believe the people of Yakima are not outraged . At that time I realized we were numb . Sad . The difference between Chief Rizzi and Chief Boyle is, I believe Chief Boyle GIVES US HOPE . Sometimes that is all we need . HOPE .
Yakima is lucky to finally have a Chief who cares about the community and is a true leader! God Bless you Chief Boyle and all of your officers!
we stand with you. Thanks for the information, we can not have violence in any form. Keep up the good work and caring for the community.
Yakima is very lucky to have chief Boyle leading this department and to have such hard working and caring officers to serve the community. Be safe.
Thank you to all first responders🇺🇸You are gold to your profession. Also thank you to any community member that comes forward with information on any crime🇺🇸You are respected!
Great words Chief, thank you!
Thank you Chief Boyle and all of the officers that face the unthinkable on a daily basis.
Thank you. We support you and your team.
Thank you Chief!
Praying 🙏
Well stated Chief Boyle. Your commitment to your department and community are shining examples of what true & excellent leadership are meant to be. Grateful for all our law enforcement agencies.
Thank you all for facing it every day. Stay safe. 🇺🇲🤗❤️
Chief Boyle is amazing 👏. He cares so much for this community and the men and women in law enforcement.
Thank you Shawn. Excellent message!!!
Thank you to the first responders!
Thank you all for serving our community!🇺🇸
Well said! Thank you all for your service to us all and doing this very tough work!
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