Pullman Police Create College Hill Beat

Sat., June 6, 1998

From Staff

In the wake of a May 3 riot, Pullman police will create a beat on College Hill.

Beginning July 1, two officers will patrol the neighborhoods around Washington State University, Police Chief Ted Weatherly said.

“On the morning of the riot we had information about the party but we didn’t have the staff to do anything about it,” Weatherly said. “With these two positions we’ll be able to do some pro-active work.”

Police in this small town generally do not work a specific beat. But changes are in the works because of the riot on College Hill that injured nearly two dozen officers and caused thousands of dollars in damage.

The change is being made in anticipation of the city receiving a federal Community Oriented Policing grant to fund the positions. Weatherly next week will ask the City Council to approve the hiring of additional officers.

The beat cop idea was first proposed by Washington State University Police Chief Bill Mercier. His plan calls for the two departments to create patrol teams of officers from the city and university.

The teams would be placed on Greek Row and in the largely student-dominated apartments and university housing to the north. Officers would get to know the residents and attempt to defuse problems before they get out of hand.

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