Police Chief Cherie Harris announced late this week temporary changes to Kirkland Police Department (KPD) protocol to protect officer and community health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Monday, March 16 the City announced that the front counter at the Kirkland Justice Center would be closed to the public. Community members can still access an officer by using the blue phone located outside the front door to contact dispatch. The acceptance of new Concealed Pistol Licensing applications is temporarily suspended.

On Friday, March 20 KPD is announcing additional significant steps to help keep officers and community members safe:

• Community members are encouraged to file police reports for not in progress crimes using our online reporting system at https://www.kirklandwa.gov/depart/PD/online-resources/onlinereporting.htm.
• You may notice that officers may be utilizing the phone to respond to calls for crimes that are not in-progress. This may require additional flexibility and creativity, such as photos and witness statements being shared via email or phone. The KPD is committed to continuing to provide excellent customer service.
• Officers will be limiting contact, as much as possible, in cases where there is no immediate threat to the safety of the caller, or other individuals involved.

Officers will always respond in-person to emergency calls, serious in-progress felonies, any calls involving life safety, and to injury or blocking traffic accidents. Please know that these temporary changes are to protect the safety of our officers and the community. Limiting officer’s potential exposure to COVID-19 helps ensure that we will continue to have adequate coverage for our community.

“I realize that these temporary changes will feel out of the ordinary for community members and for our officers,” said Police Chief Cherie Harris. “These are unprecedented times that call for a different approach to keeping our community safe. Rest assured that we will still be there for you when you need us most. We appreciate the public’s understanding as we work to get through this challenging situation together.”

Community members are encouraged to continue to utilize 911 for emergency and in-progress situations. For more information about online reporting please visit the City website.

The City continues to operate its Emergency Operations Center to coordinate our response to the presence of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in our community.

Over the weekend, additional newsletters will not be issued unless changes to the situation warrant information being sent.

Update on First Responders

The Kirkland Fire and Police Departments remain fully staffed and responding to calls as normal.  City first responders have CDC recommended personal protection equipment and are following recommended protocols.

As COVID-19 spreads in our community we know that even though we are utilizing all recommended precautions and personal protection equipment, it is likely that our first responders will be exposed to the virus either on calls where symptoms aren’t yet presenting, or in their daily lives. We will continue to provide quarantine, isolation and support for our first responders throughout this incident. We will also continue to advocate for testing for all first responders. Testing criteria is established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In King County, testing is managed by health care providers based on CDC criteria. At this time the CDC is recommending that clinicians use their judgement to determine if a patient has signs and symptoms compatible with COVID-19 and whether the patient should be tested. More information on testing requirements is available on the CDC website.

We are no longer able to offer blood pressure and temperature checks at City Fire Stations. These services may be available at your local pharmacy. Please visit the CDC COVID-19 symptoms site if you have concerns about symptoms. While the City appreciates the outpouring of support and concern from the community for our first responders, the City cannot accept donations at this time.

Updates on City Operations

All City facilities are currently closed to the public, but City staff are working. Many City services are available online or by phone at 425-587-3000 during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)

For residents that have limited online or phone access there are alternative methods to communicate with front desk staff. These resources and instructions are located at the north and south entrances at City Hall.

All City evening meetings except for City Council meetings have been cancelled until the end of March. This includes Commissions, Boards, and all Neighborhood Association meetings.

City of Kirkland Planning Department

To ensure safety to both our customers and staff, in-person building inspections will be restricted to new or unoccupied construction only, subject to social distancing protocols. Inspections that are requested for occupied structures may be postponed or conducted using remote technology such as video, photos or by an agreed upon arrangement at the inspector’s discretion.  Third party inspections are not being allowed.

Waste Management Updates Effective March 18, Waste Management is temporarily closing residential call centers to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). For more information: http://servicealerts.wmnorthwest.com/kirkland/.

Recreation Registration and Parks Operations             

The City has also cancelled all recreation programming, classes, and facility rentals through Friday, April 24. That includes community centers, recreation programs, facility rentals, athletic fields and picnic shelters. Green Kirkland Partnership volunteer stewardship events are also cancelled during this time.

While the City encourages informal use of the parks, please be mindful of the recommended social distancing and proper handwashing and sanitation. Community centers, athletic fields and picnic shelters are anticipated to reopen on April 27, pending any additional guidelines from the state. In addition, YMCA has closed KTUB, the Kirkland Teen Center, at Peter Kirk Park through Tuesday, March 31.

The annual boating season begins April 1. The city’s boat launch will remain in the open position throughout the month of April. Boat launch cards will be required beginning May 1. All boaters are encouraged to purchase their boat launch card online (www.kirklandparks.net) or by phone. Purchased cards will be mailed.

All parks and recreation business can be conducted online at www.kirklandparks.net or by phone at 425-587-3300. Anyone unable to utilize a credit card for online transactions is encouraged to call the customer service center at 425-587-3300. Alternate payment methods such as cash, check or scholarship can be arranged.

Spring and summer recreation program registration began March 19. Registration proceeded as scheduled, opening at 6 a.m. on March 19 at www.kirklandparks.net. However, only programs beginning in May are available for registration. Programs are expected to resume in May, pending any additional guidelines received by the Washington State Department of Public Health.

Court Operations

In order to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the Court lobby services are closed to walk-in visitors, but available by phone at 425-587-3160, until further notice.

Members of staff are available by phone, 425-587-3160 or email, court@kirklandwa.gov to assist customers and answer questions.  To make payments, you may mail, use our drop box located near the front entrance, or post payments online. 

Effective Tuesday, March 17, 2020, the Court will reschedule all March hearings except for mandatory DV/DUI charges (which must be heard the next judicial day) and in-custody defendants.  The Court will tentatively resume normal operations on April 1, 2020.

Guidance from the State and Federal Governments

On March 17, Governor Jay Inslee ordered statewide closure of food establishments to sit-in service and the prohibition of gatherings of more than 50 people. For more information, visit the Public Health Seattle-King County website.

More information on newly announced assistance for workers, renters and businesses is online.

Public Health-Seattle & King County Updates

Public Health reminds people to access the informational resources on Public Health Insider. Public Health is reporting the official case count in King County as 693. In addition, 4 new deaths are reported, bringing the total of confirmed deaths in King County to 60. Public Health has been publishing blogs on the Public Health Insider with a wealth of content about COVID-19. Here are a few recent highlights:

• Events, Eating Out and Retail: What’s Allowed and What’s Not
• Community is Our Anchor During COVID-19
• Showing Up for Our Kids During the Outbreak
• How to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 in Childcare Settings

COVID-19 is spreading in King County. Public Health expects the case count to double every 5 to 7 days unless orders to stay away from others are followed diligently. Already, Public Health expects that anyone we come into contact with may be infected because there is wide-spread infection in our community.  It’s critical to minimize the number of people who get seriously ill at the same time. If too many people get sick all at once, this will put too much of a burden on our health care system. If that happens, people at highest risk – people over 60, and with underlying health conditions – may not be able to get the care they need if they get seriously ill. 

Some healthcare providers are experiencing sporadic shortages of the supplies needed to collect testing samples, and that limits the number of tests that can be sent to labs.  County and state leaders are working on ways to get more supplies to healthcare providers.

Follow the guidance for anyone who develops symptoms of COVID-19 and their contacts on how to prevent the spread to others

Update from Lake Washington School District

Based on Governor Inslee’s announcement on March 12, the Lake Washington School District (LWSD) will now be closed through April 24 and will re-evaluate any further closures during that time. For more information visit the Lake Washington School District website.

The City will continue to update its website with information on the COVID-19 outbreak.

We know that that the negative impacts of COVID-19 can seem a bit overwhelming for all of us. The City wanted to share a resource that may help our community members lessen the blow for our local business community. Kirkland restaurants and coffee shops are doing their best to stay afloat during the statewide prohibition of sit-in food service, by offering take-out, and in some cases, delivery services. A stroll down Park Lane reveals numerous opportunities to support Kirkland’s award-winning restaurants by purchasing breakfast, lunch, dinner and beverages to go.

The Greater Kirkland Chamber of Commerce is offering an ever-growing virtual resource guide for local businesses and consumers, so that we can work together as we seek to flatten the curve of COVID-19. Visit the Chamber website for a frequently updated list of restaurants and bars continuing to serve customers with takeout and delivery services, and information on local grocery stores. Chamber membership is not a requirement for inclusion on this list. If you would like to see your businesses featured on this resource page, please email the Chamber at: info@kirklandchamber.org.   

For more information, visit: https://kirklandchamber.org/virtual-business-resources/

Changes coming to Eastside Bus Service

Starting tomorrow (Saturday, March 21), Metro will provide Eastside residents with more service, increased evening and weekend options, and better connections to Sound Transit Link light rail and RapidRide. To learn more about what’s changing and to see whether your route is affected, visit: https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/transportation/metro/schedules-maps/service-change/eastside.aspx.

Please note: While the service change on Saturday is going forward as planned for fixed route, Community Ride will not be launching in Bothell-Woodinville or the Juanita area as planned.

Also starting March 21, new routes may mean new connections to Sound Transit Link light rail or buses, including route 255 to UW light rail station. If you pay cash to ride a Metro bus, your paper transfer will not be accepted on Sound Transit services and you will need to pay separately for that portion of your trip. With an ORCA card you only have to pay the difference between your two fares when you transfer. For more information on ORCA cards please visit: www.orcacard.com.

Metro to Temporarily Reduce Service Starting Monday, March 23

In response to the outbreak of COVID-19, King County Metro is implementing temporary service reductions beginning on Monday, March 23. The services reductions include how often buses run and when they operate. According to Metro, some bus routes will not operate and nearly all routes will be impacted with individual trip cancellations. More detail on the reductions is available at: https://kingcountymetro.blog/2020/03/19/reducedschedule/.  

The Juanita Beach Pier is open after a two-week closure for City parks crews to complete lighting upgrades. The existing pole lights are over 40 years old and have reached the end of their useful life. The pole lights, which will be removed in the next few weeks, have been replaced by sleek runway/pathway lighting that illuminates the walking path. The new low-profile ambient lighting encompasses the entire pier (lighting was previously just on the west side), making the path safer for people walking. Thank you for your patience as we worked to complete these important safety upgrades.