Liberty Lake Blotter

Sat., June 7, 2008

The Spokesman-Review

LIBERTY LAKE – Liberty Lake police will soon have an SUV that can tote portable scales for weighing trucks when officers conduct commercial vehicle patrols.

The department was notified last week that it will receive a $51,500 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation for the SUV, said police Chief Brian Asmus.

Officer Taj Wilkerson is trained in commercial vehicle enforcement and often does inspections. The work requires the use of an SUV to handle the size and weight of portable scales. “It takes a substantial vehicle,” he said. “They’re quite bulky and heavy.”

Liberty Lake does not yet have its own set of scales, which cost about $35,000. The department will be looking for funding to purchase scales, but in the meantime Asmus hopes to be able to borrow equipment from the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office for emphasis patrols.

Police made only a handful of arrests the week of May 27 through June 2, two of them on unrelated assault charges. A 23-year-old Liberty Lake man was arrested for domestic violence assault on May 30, and a 46-year-old Liberty Lake woman was arrested for domestic violence assault and malicious mischief.

A 23-year-old Bellingham man was arrested on a driving under the influence charge, and a juvenile male was charged with trespassing in a field in the 300 block of north Henry Road.

Officers issued three citations for license and plates required, four for failure to show liability insurance and six for speeding. Additional citations were given out for a log book violation, illegal use of studded tires, failure to use a safety chain, failure to stop at a red light and failure to wear a safety belt.

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