March 28, 2024
The Liberty Lake Splash
PO Box 363
Liberty Lake, WA 99019
Phone: 509-242-7752
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Of golf carts, fireworks and knowing your neighbor
6/30/2015 11:32:07 AM

By Tammy Kimberley and Josh Johnson
Splash Staff Writers

Triple-digit heat isn't the only thing Liberty Lake may experience in July but not in January. Summer brings with it a share of unique law enforcement challenges that are as rare in the winter as a glass of cold lemonade on the patio. 

The Splash caught up recently with Liberty Lake Police Chief Brian Asmus to ask about a few of these uniquely summer challenges, from golf cart rules to fireworks to leaving that pesky garage door open. 

Q. This is the time of year where activities and events are seemingly ever-present at local parks. Is alcohol allowed in local parks or at special events like summer concerts?

A. Under state law RCW 66.44.100, alcohol is not allowed to be open or consumed in public places. This includes in our city parks and city-owned facilities. People can obtain a banquet license from the liquor control board for special events; however, very specific rules regarding signage, security, monitoring and the checking of identification is required.  

Q. What are the laws concerning fireworks in Liberty Lake?

A. The city of Liberty Lake passed Ordinance 95 that makes it a misdemeanor for anyone to purchase, sell, possess or use any type of consumer firework within the city limits. The ordinance also allows for the confiscation and seizure of the consumer fireworks. The city will be sponsoring a public fireworks display by a professional organization that is permitted to do so on the Fourth of July.    

Q. At The Splash, we receive a lot of calls and complaints about golf carts zooming around the city, and probably just a fraction of the calls you receive. What are the basic rules and requirements for golf cart operation?

A. Liberty Lake passed a Golf Cart Use Ordinance several years ago that outlines the rules and regulations for operating a golf cart in the city. We receive numerous complaints every spring and summer about golf cart violations. There are too many regulations to list for this article, but for a full description of the ordinance, please contact the police department or go to the city website for additional information. The common violations that are reported to us include:

• Underage operation: You must be 16 years old or older to operate a golf cart.

• Exceeding capacity or occupants not seated: You are only allowed to have as many passengers as there are seats. People standing on or in the back of a cart where the clubs go is a violation.

• Not equipped with the required equipment: Golf carts must have seat belts, mirrors and the proper lighting equipment.

• Negligent operation: We receive many complaints of golf carts not yielding to pedestrians, not obeying the rules of the road and being driven in a manner that may cause injury to a person or damage to property.

• Where allowed: Golf carts can only be operated on city streets with a speed limit of 25 MPH or less.

Q. How does the police department approach the golf cart issue from an enforcement standpoint? Indeed, there are probably some who would say you can't clamp down strongly enough given safety concerns and others who think monitoring golf cart regulations is a waste of law enforcement time. 

A. For the past several years, we have been trying the best we can to educate the community on the golf cart regulations by putting information in your paper, our website, our Facebook page and through the library newsletter.

Last year, we had a brochure made up that officers hand to violators that explains the regulations outlined in the golf cart ordinance. We were surprised to find that most people we contact and provide the written warning to are still unaware of the golf cart ordinance and the rules and regulations associated with it.

This year, we will be researching the possible implementation of a golf cart registration program that may go into effect next year. The plan would be to require all golf carts operated within the city limits to be registered with the city. In order to receive a registration, those responsible for the golf cart would have to sign an acknowledgment that they understand all the rules governing golf carts in the city. We will then provide them a copy of the ordinance. A sticker will be issued with a registration number that will be placed on the golf cart so officers can readily identify those responsible for the operation of the golf carts and provide us with good contact information.

The fee associated with the registration would likely be minimal (if any) to cover the cost of the registration stickers and maintaining the registration database.

Our goal is for voluntary compliance through education first and then enforcement. We have worked hard on the education piece and still seem to have numerous violations, so we will be working on the registration and stricter enforcement starting this year and into next.

Q. With summer in full swing, what might drivers need to be reminded of in terms of bikes out on the roads, kids playing in neighborhoods, etc.?

A. Be a defensive driver. Now that school is out and the weather is nice, be aware of your surroundings and adjust your driving habits accordingly. Watch for the unexpected, such as children darting out into the roadway in the residential and park areas. Stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk, and don't be a distracted driver by texting or talking on your cell phone and driving.

Q. Even though Liberty Lake is a safe community, one of the few consistent items that pop up on police reports seem to vehicle prowls or garage burglaries that were in many cases preventable. Any tips? 

A. We are a very safe community and are proud of that fact. To keep it a safe community, we ask for all residents and businesses to help us in preventing crime from happening in the first place. You can do this by making sure you remove valuables from your vehicles and lock them.  Keep your garage doors closed, even if home during the day. 

We respond to our fair share of property crimes in the community. The majority of the time, we find they were crimes of opportunity, where cars are left unlocked and valuable items are left inside of the car such as wallets, purses, GPS units, laptops, tablets, etc. Or garages are entered through an open garage door, and valuable tools and bikes are taken. Take care of your property, and if you see a neighbor that may have left their garage open, give them a call or contact them to let them know.

Q. Do you have any advice for those wishing to protect their property from vandalism, littering, those who don't clean up after their pets, etc.?

A. Make sure you get to know your neighbors and set up a neighborhood watch. Basic lighting and good landscaping can help prevent you from becoming the victim of vandalism to your property. Security cameras are fairly inexpensive and easy to install. If you witness someone littering or not cleaning up after their pets, contact them and let them know that we are proud of the cleanliness of our community and would appreciate if they did their part in keeping our community clean.


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