By BECKY THOMAS
Staff Reporter
Cheney police handled parking problems caused by early snowfalls in an otherwise average November for the department, according to a Monthly Accountability Review.
Officers issued citations for 170 illegally parked vehicles during snow removal efforts in late November, but only 17 vehicles were towed. Cmdr. Rick Campbell said residents responded well to city outreach efforts and removed their cars to allow plows to clear the streets.
Dispatchers also had a busy month, handling calls about parking, snow removal ordinances and emergency towing.
Crime in Cheney was down overall in November, with 56 reports compared with 74 in October.
The review said a child rape investigation from October has taken the majority of detective time, but a strong case has been made against the suspect, Bruce Austin. According to the Washington Courts website, Austin's trial is set for Jan. 10, 2011.
November saw the year's lowest arrest numbers, with 18 misdemeanor arrests and two felony arrests; October was near the top with 56 and eight. Total arrests are down 59 for the year compared with 2009.
Alcohol arrests are also down year-to-date. There were 141 arrests by November 2009, while there have been 90 so far this year.
Becky Thomas can be reached at [email protected].
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