City of Washington - Information and news updates from the City of Washington, Missouri government.

🚨 FRIDAY FRAUD FACTS 🚨

For this week's Friday Fraud Facts post, we would like to share a video with you.  This video was created by Erin West, who is the founder of a coalition called Operation Shamrock.  Operation Shamrock's goal is to prevent fraud & scams, and to assist victims of fraud.  We encourage fraud and scam victims to visit the Operation Shamrock website at https://www.operationshamrock.org/ .  

In this video, Erin West gives a tour of an overseas scam compound that was raided by that country's authorities.  The video is extremely eye opening and does a great job of showing the large scale of these overseas scam centers, where many of the scams we have mentioned in previous posts originate from.  Please take the 7 minutes to watch this highly informative video and as always, if you or a loved one suspects a possible scam, contact law enforcement prior to sending any money!

https://youtu.be/hjbsLtplXc0?si=cFKJso7IIZXOrKvO 

Today at the Washington High School, students got a hands-on lesson in traffic safety!

At the request of our School Resource Officers, representatives from the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Franklin County Sheriff's Office Traffic Safety Unit visited during the student lunch periods to discuss safe driving and seatbelt usage.

As part of the visit, students watched a roll-over crash simulator and even rode a low-speed impact device to see the real, life-saving benefits of buckling up.

So far, MSHP and FCSO have visited the Washington Middle School and will be bringing this demonstration to the St. Francis Borgia High School and the Four Rivers Career Center in the upcoming weeks.

Buckle up , phone down, and stay safe!

#WashMO #GoBlueJays #BUPD #ArriveAlive

Night Shift Summary. Date:04-15-26

A stealing was reported in the area of Washington Corners.

A domestic report was taken in the area of Calvin Lane.

A property damage report was taken in the area of Hickory Street.

A male subject was arrested during a traffic stop for driving while revoked.

Arrests do not imply guilt.

Night Shift Summary. Date: 04/14/2026

A vehicle crash was reported near the intersection of East 5th Street and MacArthur Street. Found property was turned in at the Police Department and later returned to the owner. A driving complaint was checked on Jefferson Street near Highway 100. A suspicious vehicle was checked on Southbend Drive near Steamboat Drive. A suspicious vehicle was checked in the 1900 block of Heritage Hills Drive. A residential alarm was checked in the 800 block of Roosevelt Street.

🚨 Lace up your running (or walking) shoes! 🚨

The Washington Police Explorer Post 2438 is gearing up for their annual 5K on May 16th, 2026 at 8:00 a.m., and they need YOUR help to reach their goal! They currently have 31 participants registered, but are pushing to hit 75! If the "run" part scares you away, don't worry, walkers are completely welcome!

Here is everything you need to know:

Course: The Rotary Riverfront Trail. Enjoy a nice, flat, and shaded route with absolutely no cars to worry about.

Setup: Professionally timed by Affordable Race Timing.

Entry Fee & Swag: $40 Registration includes a T-shirt and a finisher medal.
(Act now, prices increase after April 26th and there is no guarantee you will receive a t-shirt!).

Awards: Top 3 Male & Top 3 Female finishers.
(They will consider adding age-group awards if they get enough participants, so bring your friends!)

All funds raised help send our Explorers and advisors to the St. Louis Area Law Enforcement Exploring Association’s Explorer Academy at Missouri Baptist University this July. This immersive academy provides teens with hands-on training, classroom instruction, and real-world scenarios that build leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. For the first time in a long time, they have a large group of youth members, and we want to ensure that every single one of them can attend regardless of financial ability.

How to help:
👉 Sign Up: https://runsignup.com/Race/Register/?raceId=177078

👉 Donations: https://runsignup.com/Race/Donate/MO/Washington/WashingtonPoliceExplorers5kRun

👉 Sponsorships: Businesses and organizations are invited to sponsor the run! Please reach out for more information.

If you have a teen who is interested in a career in law enforcement or is simply interested in the how & why of what we do, please reach out. This is a co-ed program for teens aged 14-20, being a resident of Washington or residing within the Washington School District is not a requirement.

For more information or to become a sponsor, please contact Cpl. Mindy Schmelz #292 at mschmelz@washmo.gov.

Come out, enjoy the trail, and support the next generation of public safety professionals!

BONUS SCAM ALERT!

STOP GIVING YOUR MONEY AWAY!!!

A recent incident was reported to the Washington Police Department that involved an individual who began an online relationship with a person on the internet. With promises of gifts and commitment, the victim sent the person online approximately $50,000.00 and was preparing to sell their home to provide more money, when their family realized the victim was being scammed and put a stop to it. This is an example of a Pig Butchering Scam, where a cybercriminal provides false promises of riches to their victim. Typically, the cybercriminal will promise great wealth to their victim but scams the victim into believing they must first provide their own money to receive the vast wealth at a later time. These scams are incredibly common, and many people fall for them. Always remember that scammers take advantage of their victim's emotions. If something seems too good to be true, it is too good to be true and NEVER give money to an individual you have not met in person. If you or a loved one ever has questions about a possible scam, please contact the Washington Police Department prior to sending any money.

Stay tuned for our upcoming Friday Fraud Facts post! Please continue to share our post with your loved ones so we can lessen the scam impacts!

Night Shift Summary. Date:04/13/2026

A peace disturbance was reported in the 600 block of West 5th Street. Animals were reported running loose in the area of Highway 100 and Bluff Road. A scam was reported at the police department. A domestic assault was reported in the 600 block of West 5th Street. Officers assisted EMS in the 1800 block of Anniston Drive. Officers stood by during a civil matter in the 1700 block of A Roy Drive.

Day Shift Summary 04/13/2026

Property damage to a vehicle reported in the 100 block of Rabbit Trail Drive.

Subject turned themselves in at the PD on outstanding warrants.

Subject was stopped in the area of East 5th Street and East Lane Drive for a traffic violation. Subject was found to have outstanding warrants and was arrested.

Leaving the scene crash reported at West 3rd Street and Oak Street.

Non-injury traffic crash on Highway 47 at East 14th Street.

🌙✨ Protecting Our Night Skies at Riverfront Park ✨🌙
Our Riverfront flagpoles are currently down, but for a great reason - tomorrow we’ll be installing new lighting and halyards designed to support dark sky efforts in our community.
Light pollution - the excessive or misdirected artificial light that brightens the night sky—makes it harder to see stars and impacts both people and wildlife. Common sources include lighting that create an unnatural glow.
By upgrading to more thoughtful lighting, we’re taking steps to reduce light pollution and protect our natural nighttime environment. Dark sky-friendly lighting helps:
🌌 Preserve our view of the stars
🛌 Support healthy sleep patterns and mental well-being
🦉 Protect wildlife that rely on natural darkness for hunting, mating, and navigation
This work also coincides with International Dark Sky Week (April 13–20), a global celebration of the night. From the darkness needed for a restful night’s sleep to the activities we enjoy beneath the stars, the night is filled with wonder and importance. Dark skies sustain critical wildlife ecosystems, strengthen the well-being of our communities, enable scientific discovery, and preserve shared cultural knowledge and traditions.
Join us as we “go dark” to explore the night and take action to protect dark skies worldwide. Together, we can reduce light pollution, protect our environment, and keep the beauty of the night sky shining bright for generations to come. 🌌🌠

Please join us in taking this week to recognize and honor these professionals during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (April 12–18, 2026).

Before the sirens ever sound, before lights and radios fill the night, there is a voice. A steady voice in the dark.

These are the professionals who sit at the center of chaos and turn panic into direction. The first of the first responders. The calm in the storm. The voice that answers when everything else is breaking down.

They work long, demanding shifts surrounded by screens and radios, carrying the weight of every call that comes through. Medical emergencies, fires, crashes, crises, and moments that change lives in an instant. In those moments, they are tasked with something extraordinary: to listen, to interpret fear and confusion, to locate help, and to send it without delay, without hesitation.

They guide strangers through CPR over the phone. They calm frantic parents. They coordinate police, fire, and EMS simultaneously when seconds matter most. They do all of this while remaining composed, precise, and clear because someone’s worst day depends on it.

And when the call ends, there is no pause button for what they have heard. They clear the line, reset their focus, and answer the next ring, ready again to serve the next person in need.

They are rarely seen. Rarely thanked. But never replaceable.

To the dispatchers of Washington Communications, thank you for your professionalism, your resilience, and your commitment to this community. You are the first voice of hope when hope is needed most.

#WashMO #FirstOfTheFirstResponders #WeAllKnowDispatchWasRight #Dispatch: I Said What I Said #NPSTW2026

Night Shift Summary 04/11/26

Assisted the fire department in the area of A Roy Drive.

A male subject was arrested in the area of the riverfront.

A male subject was arrested in the area of Washington Corners.

Arrests do not imply guilt.

Night Shift Summary 04/10/26

A male subject was arrested for DWI in the area of 5th Street and Highway 47.

A leaving the scene of an accident was reported in the area of 5th Street and Elm Street.

A female subject was arrested for DWI in the area of Bieker Road.

Arrests do not imply guilt.

Join us at Washington Public Library on Saturday, April 18 from 9am to 2pm for the Missouri Book Festival. This family-friendly festival has over 30 programs for children and adults, including cooking programs, an exotic petting zoo, storytimes, author talks, vendor booths and more. See all the activities here.

The new playground at Krog Park is ready for play!!
Thanks to our Parks Staff, who worked hard over the past few days to complete it.
We can't wait to see the kids enjoying it!