Realistic-looking toy guns posing problems for police

Liberty Lake Police are encountering problems with kids packing realistic-looking toy guns.

On Tuesday, Police Chief Brian Asmus alerted the City Council about the most recent of four disturbing encounters with toy guns.

A caller informed police that two teenagers were walking around the Big Trout Lodge with guns. When police responded, they found that the teens were playing with toys so realistic looking they would confuse even veteran officers.

The guns, called Soft Air Pro, look like a Walther P99, a type of semi-automatic handgun, Asmus told the council.

He passed around the two confiscated toys, which include realistic-looking clips that hold BBs, and printouts of pictures of real guns.

“The officers are going to respond to this like it’s a real gun,” he said. “This pointed at an officer is not going to have a good outcome.”

Spokane Police recently faced down a suicidal man who wielded a realistic-looking toy gun. Although officers suspected it was fake, one officer fired a shot that went through a fold in the man’s T-shirt.

Land given for arboretum

MeadowWood Homeowners Association deeded 2.8 acres of land east of City Hall for an arboretum. The timing was good for the city, which is finalizing a comprehensive parks plan.

Margaret Barnes honored

The mayor thanked Margaret Barnes for her efforts on behalf of Liberty Lake Municipal Library. Barnes, a board member, received an engraved plaque.