Office of Law Enforcement Oversight: Community-driven recommendations aim to improve Sheriff’s Office response to federal immigration enforcement

Last week, the Office of Law Enforcement Oversight (OLEO) provided the King County Sheriff’s Office (Sheriff’s Office) with seven community-informed recommendations in a report on responding to increased federal immigration enforcement within the County. 

The recommendations aim to strengthen the Sheriff’s Office’s current policy to be more responsive to community needs, expand community education and outreach, and promote understanding by clarifying the existing policy language.

OLEO partnered with The Arc of King County, Congolese Integration Network, Eastside For All, Look2Justice, People Power Washington, and Urban Family to create this report. OLEO also consulted with the Sheriff’s Office to clarify its current practices.

“OLEO is grateful to its organizational partners and all the community members who participated in our outreach efforts,” said OLEO Director Tamer Abouzeid.

“The feedback we received from the online survey and group listening sessions was invaluable and lead to recommendations that help the Sheriff’s Office be more responsive to community needs.”

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests at community sites, like schools and workplaces, have dramatically increased since 2025. As ICE arrests have intensified, community members have formed coalitions to protect immigrants and refugees. But there continues to be confusion and uncertainty about the role of local law enforcement, like the Sheriff’s Office, in responding to federal immigration enforcement.

“It’s important for the Sheriff’s Office’s policies to reflect what communities need in the face of increasingly aggressive immigration enforcement,” said Angela Ngiangi Diansasila of the Congolese Integration Network, a partner non-profit based in South King County serving immigrants and refugees.

“These recommendations help the Sheriff’s Office achieve more with their immigration policies and better protect vulnerable immigrant and refugee groups.”

“Through our outreach, community members and advocates shared with us how intensified immigration enforcement has made them fearful of contacting law enforcement or other public agencies for assistance, making it crucial for the King County Sheriff’s Office to expand its outreach to address community fears in accessible ways,” said Angelica Maria Gonzalez Graham from Eastside For All, a partner organization that seeks to ensure racial, economic, and social justice for communities of color.

“The report includes recommendations for how the Sheriff’s Office can share information with communities that need it and clarify the Sheriff’s Office’s role in supporting communities targeted by harmful immigration enforcement practices.”

Community-based organizations that are interested in partnering with OLEO to deliver equitable, collaborative recommendations as part of future projects can complete this form or reach out to OLEOpolicy@kingcounty.gov.

Resources: Full report here.

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False alarm at Town Center in LFP

It's always worth a second look when the fire ladder is fully extended. This was at the Echo Lake Neighborhood Picnic in July. Photo by Carl Dinse.

A startling scene by Ace Hardware in Lake Forest Park Town Center on Monday turned out to be a false alarm.

Early evening on Monday, August 17, 2026 shoppers and passers-by were surprised to see a full contingent of police and fire trucks by Ace Hardware on the upper level of Town Center.

A fire truck had the ladder extended and firefighters were on the roof of the building.

Fortunately, it turned out to be a false alarm.

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King County Sheriff: ICE can tell us to 'pound sand' and that’s what we would do

The Shoreline City Council has wondered what its officers could do when its residents call about ICE activity. The answer? Not much.

By David Mendez
The Osprey News

King County Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall 

King County Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall told the Shoreline City Council last week that she believes the community “has unrealistic expectations about what law enforcement can or should do related to ICE” — and that her office has effectively no ability to deal with federal immigration agents, even when they’re unidentified in the field.

The sheriff’s meeting with the council occurred during a Shoreline dinner meeting workshop, which took place before the regular council meeting. 

Most of the meeting focused on agency staffing — the King County Sheriff’s Office runs the Shoreline Police Department through a contract agreement — but KCSO’s policies regarding ICE were the elephant in the room.

Federal immigration officials have been very active in the city, leading to chases through residential streets, arrests along Aurora Avenue and confrontations in neighborhoods.

Upon being told of ongoing resident concerns regarding ICE, Cole-Tindall told council that she doesn’t believe it’s KCSO’s job to “track ICE incidents.”

“My responsibility is to respond to 911 calls. And that could be an ICE agent calling, or it could be the community calling,” Cole-Tindall said.

“What I don’t want is any of my officers to be charged with obstructing, or somehow we’re doing something that is obstructing the federal government from doing what they need to do.”

Shoreline’s leaders have taken a public stance against ICE activity over the last year, spurred in part by public action. Earlier this year, the city passed an ordinance banning the agency from staging on city-controlled land. 

Officials have also asked residents to call the city’s police department to help document ICE activity, and on one occasion city council members accompanied a resident to the police station, offering support as she reported an attempted arrest by ICE.

“Do you have a sense of how many times our King County Sheriff’s [Deputies] from across the region are responding to someone calling about an incident,” asked Councilmember Chris Roberts. “What’s the sort of universe in terms of how infrequently the sheriffs respond to these kinds of things?”

“We just don’t have that much interaction with ICE. They’re out there, we know it, but we don’t have a lot of interactions,” Cole-Tindall said. “People don’t really call that much. And certainly, just to be clear, [ICE doesn’t] let us know when they’re coming into our area.”

One councilmember then asked Cole-Tindall if deputies would respond to a call reporting an arrest by an unidentified person claiming to be an ICE agent.

“Yes, and all we could do, we could go out and we could say, ‘Hello, I’m Deputy So-and-So. Can I see your credentials?’ And they could say ‘pound sand,’ and that’s what we would do,” Cole-Tindall replied.

“We would ask, and that’s on camera, so that’s what the deputy is required to do — to ask and document, yeah. But they don’t have to give it.”

King County Sheriff’s Office policy states that deputies will prioritize responding to a call when it is “unclear people claiming to be immigration officers are officers,” if there are “concerns that a crime is being committed” or if ICE activities “may be occurring on property where they are not allowed.”

On-scene policy states that deputies will turn on their body-worn camera, speak with the person who called 911, “verify law enforcement credentials, if appropriate” and document their attempts to check the identity of officers on the scene.

When asked for comment on the sheriff’s statements, a KCSO spokesperson referred The Osprey to the department’s General Orders Manual and emphasized the orders that deputies must follow.

ICE agents confer after running into a vehicle and confronting the young driver,
who ultimately was not arrested or detained.
See previous story

According to KCSO policy, deputies “shall not compel federal personnel to provide information or obstruct their operations.” Rather, they must attempt to de-escalate on the scene, then file a report with superiors, which will then be sent to county prosecutors for possible further action.

In March, Governor Bob Ferguson signed into law Senate Bill 5855 and House Bill 2165, a legislative package intended to prevent law enforcement from hiding under masks and added penalties to police impersonation laws.

But the state’s mask law, as Cole-Tindall and Councilmember Keith Scully both noted, is a civil matter. Further, sheriff’s deputies will not enforce the ban, the KCSO spokesperson told The Osprey.

“The person who feels they’ve been aggrieved can go to court, I guess,” Cole-Tindall told the Shoreline City Council.

Whether or not a city has tested the limits of the law by suing the federal government hasn’t been reported. “Somebody’s going to have to test that at some point,” Scully mused.

“I mean, it’s an ineffective law because you have to bring a motion for an injunction saying ‘don’t do it again.’ And they do it again, and you go back and you say, ‘now you have to pay a fine because you did it again,’ and they can ultimately drag it out forever,” Scully said, drawing out the string on his hypothetical.

“But it’s all we’ve got, right?”

Similarly, a ban on ICE assembly on prohibited properties — like King County-owned land, or City of Shoreline-controlled land — is untested. A spokesperson for the King County Prosecutor’s Office was uncertain what charges could be filed should federal agents ignore official warnings to leave.

A Shoreline municipal code says only that the city attorney “shall have the ability to enforce this chapter by any legal mechanism of enforcement available under the law.” Per a staff report, that means the city might sue the federal government to gain “injunctive relief, temporary restraint, or some other type of legal remedy.”

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Kenmore police blotter 8/3 - 8/9/26

Thieves flee in all modes of travel. In three cases this week, they fled in a car, on a bike, and on foot. No planes, boats, or trains were involved this week.

If you have any information call 206-296-3311.

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After report of gun violence, Seattle police find bullet-damaged vehicle but no victim

Seattle Police Detectives are investigating a shooting that occurred near Aurora Ave N on Saturday afternoon, August 1, 2026.

On Saturday around 4:30pm, officers responded to the 14100 block of Aurora Ave N for a report of someone shot in the leg. Officers on scene found a vehicle with bullet damage but did not locate any victims. 

According to witnesses, there was some sort of disturbance between two men in the middle of the street. One of the men fired a handgun, causing both men to flee the scene.

No victims were located during the incident or at nearby hospitals.

Detectives with the Gun Violence Reduction Unit will be conducting the follow-up investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Seattle Police Department Violent Crimes Tip Line at (206) 233-5000.

Incident: 2026-226025 / North Precinct

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Seattle man reports that someone slashed his tire and shot at him

Seattle Police Detectives are investigating a shooting that occurred in the 11000 block of Greenwood Ave N.

On July 30, 2026 around 10:32pm, officers received a call about a male who had fired a gun. The victim, a 35-year-old male, reported to officers that while he was sitting in his truck, the suspect slashed his rear tire then shot at his back window as the victim drove away.

The victim’s truck had bullet damage and officers recovered a bullet fragment from inside it. Detectives believe there was some kind disturbance prior to the shooting, but the circumstances are still under investigation.

Officers searched the area for the suspect, but he was not located.

Detectives with the Gun Violence Reduction Unit will be conducting the follow-up investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Seattle Police Department Violent Crimes Tip Line at (206) 233-5000.

Incident: 2026-224179 / North Precinct

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Lake Forest Park Police Dept keeps busy - 752 calls in June

If you've ever wondered whether the Lake Forest Park Police Department is busy, here's the answer. 

Between June 1 and June 30, 2026, LFPPD Patrol Officers, Detectives, and Support Services Officers responded to 752 calls for service. These included both incidents dispatched by NORCOM and officer-initiated activities.

The breakdown below highlights the variety of calls our personnel handled throughout the month. 

Every call—whether it's an emergency, a request for assistance, or a traffic accident—represents our commitment to keeping Lake Forest Park safe and providing professional service to our community.

• 1  Burglary
• 57 Behavioral Health Incidents
• 23 Disturbances
• 4 Domestic Violence Incidents
• 2 DUI
• 5 Hit & Runs
• 3 Suicide/Suicide Attempts
• 27 Suspicious Incidents
• 27 Thefts/Forgeries
• 2 Trespasses
• 2 Drug Investigations
• 18 Warrant Arrests
• 118 Requests for assistance (by community members, fire department, other police agencies, etc.)
• 267 Traffic stops, traffic accidents and traffic related calls
• 196 Miscellaneous calls (alarms, foot patrol, property lost & found, animal problem, etc.

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National Night Out in Lake Forest Park is just one opportunity to connect with Police Department

LFP PD connects with neighborhoods during 

Night Out

We heard that some Lake Forest Park neighborhoods decided to cancel their National Night Out events due to the smoky conditions. While we're sorry we didn't have the opportunity to see everyone this evening, we completely understand and respect those decisions. The health and safety of our community always come first.

Our officers visited the neighborhoods that moved forward with their events, and we looked forward to spending time with those residents.

If you were unable to attend tonight, we want to remind everyone that National Night Out is just one of many opportunities we have throughout the year to connect with our community. We look forward to seeing you at events such as Shop with a Cop, Safety Day, the Bicycle Rodeo, and many other community outreach events.

Thank you for your continued support, and we hope everyone had a safe and fun evening.

Chief Diego Zanella
Lake Forest Park Police Department

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Snohomish Regional Drug Task Force Investigation arrests two men in north Seattle on July 30, 2026

The bus is on Greenwood. Police and vehicles fill N 140th
Photo by Rachel Shaver

On July 30, 2026 neighbors on N 140th Street next to Greenwood in north Seattle (200 blk of N 140th S) were alarmed when their street was blocked off and full of police with rifles.

Photo by Rachel Shaver

Residents questioned the police and discovered they were part of the Snohomish Regional Drug Task Force (SRDTF). 

They were carrying out a drug investigation search warrant operation on the street, which is in north Seattle near the Shoreline border at 145th. 

SRDTF had assistance from the Snohomish County Violent Offender Task Force (VOTF).  

 

The result of the operation was the booking of a 22-year-old man at the SnoCo Jail on drug trafficking charges. A second felony warrant arrest on another male at King Co. Jail. 

SRDTF seized kilo amounts of multiple different types of drugs that are still being processed and identified, along with a large amount of cash and a couple of firearms. 

This remains an active investigation.

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City of Lake Forest Park Mayor French selects Commander Diego Zanella as Chief of Police

Commander Diego Zanella

LAKE FOREST PARK, Wash. — Following an internal selection process, Mayor Tom French has selected Commander Diego Zanella as the city’s next Chief of Police, pending City Council confirmation at their August 13, 2026, regular meeting.

Mayor French stated, 

“The city is fortunate to have had the opportunity to interview two highly qualified internal candidates for the position of Chief of Police. 

"I have full confidence in Commander Zanella as Chief and look forward to the continued success of this outstanding department under his leadership.”

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Three women suffer injuries from shooting near Aurora

Three women suffered injuries in a shooting early Thursday morning, July 23, 2026 in the north section of Aurora in Seattle.

Seattle police responded to reports of gunfire at about 12:06am in the 1100 block of North 96th Street. Officers arrived and found an abandoned silver Ford riddled with bullet holes.

A short time later, police learned that three adult women walked into the UW Northwest Hospital Emergency Room. One woman suffered multiple gunshot wounds. The other two women suffered injuries from shattered glass. All three were reported in stable condition. Medics later transferred the woman with the gunshot wounds to Harborview Medical Center for additional treatment.

1100 block of N 96th St in north Seattle

Detectives determined the women were inside the Ford, facing west on North 96th Street, when a dark colored sedan pulled in front of them. A suspect exited and opened fire on the Ford before getting back into the car. The suspect then left southbound on Aurora Avenue North.

Detectives with the Gun Violence Reduction Unit will be leading the investigation and are working to determine what led to the shooting.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Seattle Police Department Violent Crimes Tip Line at (206) 233-5000.

Incident: 2026-215286/North Precinct

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An incredible day at the LFP PD Safety Day at Town Center

At the start of a race

What an incredible day at Lake Forest Park Police Department Safety Day event on Saturday July 11, 2026 at LFP Town Center! 

Thanks to everyone who joined us, it was a tremendous success, with hundreds of smiling kids and parents coming together for a fun, interactive day focused on safety and community.

Checking out the public works vehicle

The kids had an amazing time racing through the bicycle and tricycle course, sharpening their soccer skills at the inflatable target, exploring our patrol vehicles and fire department apparatus, and climbing aboard Public Works tractors and backhoes. 

There was truly something for everyone to enjoy.

Helmets were funded by LFP Rotary 

A special thank you goes to the Lake Forest Park Rotary for their generous support. 

LFP Rotary members pose with Mayor Tom French on the low-rider

Their contribution allowed us to provide hundreds of bicycle helmets and water safety vests to local families, helping keep our community's children safer both on land and in the water. 

Mayor Tom French leading the way

A big thank you goes also to the city employees who assisted us in making this event a success.

Our officers had a great time meeting and interacting with everyone who attended. Events like these are a great reminder of the strong partnerships that make Lake Forest Park such a wonderful community.

An early start at the soccer target

Finally, a well-deserved recognition goes to Traffic Support Officer Amanda Johnson, whose leadership, dedication, and countless hours of planning made this event possible. 

Amanda Johnson getting her photo taken with a young participant.

Outstanding job, Amanda, and thank you to everyone who helped make this year's Safety Day such a memorable success!

--LFP PD

--Photos from multiple sources

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Robbery suspects arrested in Kirkland after high-speed pursuit from Northgate through Lake Forest Park and Kenmore

by Seattle Detective Brian Pritchard

A Seattle police pursuit ended in Kirkland Saturday night after officers arrested three robbery suspects and recovered a firearm that was thrown from the vehicle.

On July 11 at 8:36 p.m., a 27-year-old man was robbed at gunpoint and assaulted in North Seattle. When officers arrived and contacted the victim, the man said he and his family were walking home after leaving a restaurant at Northgate Mall when a green Kia nearly hit them around Northeast 103rd Street and 5th Avenue Northeast.

The victim said the Kia, occupied by four people, began following them home. One passenger exited the vehicle and chased the victim on foot. The Kia made a U-turn and caught up to the victim, and he exchanged words with the driver. One of the suspects pointed a gun at the victim, threatening him and stealing his sunglasses. Another passenger got out and punched the victim before the group drove south on 5th Avenue Northeast.

Police soon located the green Kia in the 10800 block of Roosevelt Way Northeast. The vehicle matched the victim’s description, and four people were standing outside. Seeing officers, the group got back into the Kia and drove east on Northeast Northgate Way. Officers attempted a traffic stop by activating their emergency lights. The driver sped away at a high rate of speed. The vehicle reached speed between 80 to 90 miles per hour. 

Officers pursued the vehicle through several jurisdictions, including Lake Forest Park and Kenmore, as it drove around Lake Washington before it stopped in the 9700 block of Northeast Juanita Drive in Kirkland, Washington.

Police arrested three men, ages 18, 19, and 24, along with an 18-year-old woman. During the pursuit someone inside the Kia threw a 10mm firearm from the vehicle. Officers later recovered the gun. Also, during the initial search 10mm bullets were found on one of the suspects.

The three men were booked into King County Jail for investigation of robbery, eluding, and unlawful possession of a firearm. Officers identified the woman and released her.

Robbery Unit detectives are investigating. Anyone with information is asked to call the SPD Violent Crimes Tip Line at (206) 233-5000.

Incident Number: 2026-202517/North Precinct /L2

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Seattle detectives investigating homicide in Lake City neighborhood

Location of Lake City homicide

Detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred in the 12000 block of 40th Ave NE Friday evening, July 3, 2026.

Neighbors reported shots fired shortly after 8pm, and seeing a man lying in the street. Seattle Fire Department medics attempted life-saving measures, but the victim was declared deceased at the scene.

This remains an active and ongoing investigation and anyone with information is asked to call the tip line at 206-233-5000.

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Driver arrested after flipping car

Shoreline Fire on scene of rollover incident. Photo by Patricia Hale

Thursday night, June 25, 2026 just before 10pm, a vehicle traveling eastbound on NE 165th St in Ridgecrest clipped the left rear corner of an unoccupied vehicle parked at the curb, just east of 6th Ave NE, and flipped on its side.

The driver and passenger, a male and female, were helped out of their vehicle by patrons of the Ridgecrest Pub.

Photo by Patricia Hale

Fire and police responded. The occupants of the vehicle stated they did not need medical treatment. Fire cleared the call and left with police department on scene. 

The driver was arrested for suspicion of Driving Under the Influence.

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FOUND: Missing person: NE 145th & 5th NE

Missing in Shoreline

Update: Christopher returned home on his own.

The King County Sheriff’s Office has issued an alert for a missing 44-year old man who is mentally challenged named Christopher. 

He was last seen at the intersection of NE 145th St and 5th Ave NE in Shoreline on Sunday afternoon, June 21. 

He is wearing a gray tank top and is 5’2” 143lbs. 

If seen, please call the Sheriff’s Office at 206-296-3311.

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Rain didn't stop the Special Olympics Torch Run

Last Friday, May 29, 2026 Shoreline Police and Kenmore Police Department officers came together again to participate in the Special Olympics Torch Run.

Despite the rain pouring down, the wet conditions didn’t dampen their spirits. They enthusiastically ran on Aurora Ave N, from N 205th to N 145th where they passed the torch to the Seattle Police Department.

Thank you runners: Chief Park, Chief Moen, Captain Woodruff and Officers: Schettler, Jurado and Hunt.

Special thanks to Officer Schettler for coordinating and organizing this meaningful event every year!

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Fake Shoreline Police bulletin

A crude parody is circling the internet claiming that the Shoreline Police are holding a "Pride Party".

People who read three words and react are having hissy fits.

Don't be that person.

--Diane Hettrick

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Party June 1, 2026 to honor Chief Michael Harden upon his retirement from LFP Police Department

After 25 years of service with the City of Lake Forest Park Police Department, Chief Michael Harden is retiring on June 1, 2026.

Join us on Friday, June 5, to celebrate his dedication and hard work, from 6:00pm to 9:00pm at Pfingst Animal Acres Park!

Featuring live entertainment from Chief Harden's son, Justin Harden, a beer garden sponsored by the Lake Forest Park Rotary, and food and drinks available for purchase.

Don't miss this special night to honor such an impactful member of the LFP community!

Pfingst Animal Acres Park 17435 Brookside Blvd, Lake Forest Park 98155

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Homicide at Lake City business May 9, 2026

Seattle police detectives are investigating a homicide in Lake City the morning of Saturday May 9, 2026.

Just before 9:00am, patrol officers responded to a report of man down inside of a business in the 8500 block of Lake City Way Northeast. 

There, police found a victim, an employee in his 20s, with apparent fatal gunshot wounds.

The Seattle Fire Department arrived and pronounced the victim deceased at the scene.

Officers cordoned off the area until detectives with the Homicide and Crime Scene Investigative Units arrived to process the scene. The medical examiner will take custody of the deceased and determine the cause and manner of death.

There is no suspect information at this time and police did not make any arrests. The circumstances leading up to the killing are under investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to call the SPD Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000.

Incident Number: 2026-128874

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