Huckleberries just received this email from the Coeur d'Alene Police Association: “The Coeur d’Alene Police Association announced today they strongly support Council members McEvers, Kennedy, Goodlander and Mayor Bloem for their continued work on behalf of the City of Coeur d’Alene. The Police Association consists of many long-term employees who have served with several administrations. “These three Council members along with Mayor Bloem have shown continuous, strategic support with the City budget toward public safety, and a good quality of life for all of our citizens. Police officers are provided with the necessary training, technology and tactical equipment to do their day to day jobs as safely as possible for our citizens and officers. We are fortunate to have such skilled leadership, and grateful for their willingness to serve.” said Police Association President Rory Johnson.”

The Coeur d’Alene Police Animal Control Division is requesting citizens make plans for their pets on the 4th of July. Animal control deals with a large volume of dogs that become frightened by the noise of fireworks and run from their residence. This results in many more calls for service of dogs “running at large”. The dogs are put at risk of being hit by a car, fighting with other dogs, or possibly biting someone out of fear. Police Chief Wayne Longo asks citizens to “please use caution over the holiday weekend and be aware that due to the increase in calls for service our response will be prioritized but we will try and respond as we are available”/Sgt. Christie Wood, Coeur d'Alene Police Department news release. Full release here.

Question: How do you pretect your pets from being scared by fireworks on the Fourth of July?

At 12:18 p.m. Wednesday, Coeur d’Alene police responded to a report of a rape that allegedly occurred sometime during the early morning hours at a residence in area near Coeur d'Alene City Hall. The victim, a 17-year-old girl, stated she was sleeping when the attack occurred. The suspect is known to her as a family friend. Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Scott Patrick Giordano, 30, from Arizona. He is possibly driving a red pickup with a canopy. His girlfriend, Grace Emery, and their 3-month-old baby are reported to be with him/via Coeur d'Alene Police Department Twitter here.

The Coeur d’Alene Police Department has eagerly embraced the age of social networking by starting up a Facebook page and utilizing Twitter. Both entities will prove valuable in posting timely, and critical information necessary to public safety. The Facebook site will provide general departmental information, crime prevention tips, the latest press releases, and details about various events. Twitter will be used to provide instant information about crimes in progress, road closures, or any hazards to the public/Christie Wood, Coeur d'Alene Police Department spokeswoman. More here.

Question: Do you plan to follow the Coeur d'Alene Police Department on Facebook and Twitter? Why? Why not?

Update: The lead firearms instructor for the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving last weekend in Coeur d’Alene. Deputy Daniel Knight, 42, had a blood-alcohol level of 0.19 and 0.188 during breath tests administered after his arrest early Sunday. The legal limit for driving is .08. Coeur d’Alene Police Officer Jared Reneau said he was about to turn into the police substation on Fourth Street and Foster Avenue when he noticed a silver truck driving an estimated 40 mph on Fourth, where the speed limit is 25 mph/Meghann Cuniff, SR. More here.

HMOffsuite: Why does the press and media always have to mention a person’s profession, affiliation or association when an individual gets a DUI, while enjoying his leisure time? He’s really just a person, having a good time on his weekend, and made a stupid decision to drive his car, when he shouldn’t have been driving.

Question: Is it fair for the media to draw attention to the fact that a Spokane County deputy was cited for DUI?

Update: Arrested and charged with three counts of robbery is Stephen J. Beck, 23 years of age, and a transient, and Michael D. Frank, 20 years of age from Coeur d’Alene. CPD Blue Press release here.

Three attempted robberies in Coeur d’Alene late Wednesday and early today are believed to be the work of two people arrested trying to steal OxyContin from Walgreens about 5 a.m., police said. The first occurred about 8:30 p.m. when a clerk at Piggies Deli & Market, 2001 Sherman Ave., refused to hand over cash to a gunman who fled in a Nissan driven by a woman … Later that night, a man matching the description of the man at Piggies tried to rob Taj Grocery, 1003 N. 15th St., but fled when the clerk refused, police said/Meghann M. Cuniff, SR. More here.

Question: Still feel safe in Coeur d’Alene?