In brief: Police Web site offers tips, maps, more
How do I report an abandoned car? Is there a lot of crime in my neighborhood? What can I do about the creep dealing drugs next door?
The answers to these and many more questions are now readily accessible at the Spokane Police Department’s new Web site.
The department launched the revamped site Tuesday at www.spokanepolice.org after four months of research and preparation.
“It’s point-shoot stupid,” Officer Sue Mann said, comparing it to a basic, easy-to-use camera that even novices can understand. All answers are given in layman’s terms.
In addition to the “How do I” list of frequently asked questions, the site provides information about various police specialties, sex offenders and neighborhood crime maps.
“When we lost Crime Check, we lost a very valuable tool,” Mann said of the old catchall phone number for citizens to request police assistance. It was cut a few years back for budgetary reasons.
The hope is that the new site will fill the void, she said.
–Amy Cannata
Students needed for newspaper staff
High school students interested in journalism are needed for The Vox, a student-produced newspaper published by The Spokesman-Review. Applications are now being accepted for staff positions for the 2007-08 school year. Any high school-age student in Spokane County or North Idaho may apply.
Prior journalism experience isn’t required. Students should have an interest in writing news, sports, opinion or entertainment.
Photographers, page designers and graphic artists are needed, along with a political cartoonist. Students will work with Spokesman-Review staffers.
Students selected will be required to complete training in July and will need to attend staff meetings during the school year at the downtown Spokesman-Review office. Applications are available online at www.spokesmanreview.com/ blogs/vox. E-mail questions to erind@spokesman.com. The deadline is Friday.
– Staff reports
Stevens County
Firetruck rolls down 50-foot embankment
A Stevens County firetruck crashed through a barrier on state Route 291, rolled down a 50-foot embankment and came to rest upside-down Tuesday afternoon about five miles north of Nine Mile Falls, a police spokesman said.
The truck’s only occupant suffered a hand laceration and was transported to a nearby hospital by ambulance, Washington State Patrol Trooper Mark Baker said. The firefighter’s injury was not life-threatening.
“He lost his brakes, and he wasn’t able to slow down enough,” Baker said. The truck crashed through the barrier at the bottom of a hill on West Whitmore Hill Road.
The driver was returning from a nearby call, Baker said. Firefighters earlier had responded to a brush fire in the same area.
The southbound lane of Route 291 was closed for about 30 minutes after the WSP arrived but was open at 6 p.m., Baker said. The road was expected to close again later for at least an hour while an extra-large tow truck recovers the crashed firetruck.
The WSP and its commercial vehicle division are investigating the crash, Baker said.
– Nick Eaton