Sammamish Police Department

10/30/2026

A portion of the SE 24th Street boardwalk, referred to as section B, will be closed indefinitely until it can be replaced. Both the east and west entrances of section B (pictured) are permanently closed to public access going forward.

An alternative protected pedestrian pathway that is adjacent to the boardwalk was installed Friday, October 30. For the safe and effective use of the protected pedestrian pathway, we are asking that cyclists, including e-bike riders, dismount and walk their bikes or use the westbound lane as permitted by law.

10/23/2026

Sammamish Master Police Officer Chris Sawtelle was awarded the 2026 Outstanding Officer of the Year Award at last week's Washington State Traffic Safety Commission Conference in Wenatchee .

MPO Sawtelle received this recognition for his exceptional work organizing the 2026 North American Motor Officers Association (NAMOA) Conference at Marymoor Park and for his continued efforts across multiple 2025/26 Target Zero high‑visibility emphasis campaigns. His dedication, professionalism, and leadership in this area make a meaningful impact not only in Sammamish but also throughout our region.

MPO Sawtelle was nominated by Captain Pete Horvath for this well-deserved honor. Captain Horvath’s efforts helped ensure that the outstanding work MPO Sawtelle does every day was recognized at the state level.

Congratulations to MPO Sawtelle!

Sammamish Police Officers are King County Sheriff's Office Deputies who are dedicated to our community by contract. Sammamish has contracted law enforcement services from the KCSO since its incorporation in 1999.

09/24/2026

🚨 JUST HANG UP 🚨

We’ve received reports of scams involving callers pretending to represent banks and other financial institutions. These scammers may tell you there’s a problem with your account and ask you to wire money.

Don’t do it. Wired money is often lost money.

If someone calls asking you to transfer or wire money:
Just hang up. Scammers can ‘spoof’ their phone number to make it look like your bank. 📵
Call your bank or financial institution directly using a trusted phone number or visit your local branch. 🏦
Never provide account information, passwords, PINs or verification codes to an unexpected caller. ❌

Please also talk with family members who may be more vulnerable to scams. A simple conversation about phone and financial safety can help prevent someone you care about from becoming a victim.

When in doubt, JUST HANG UP. Visit our website for more information about our police department: https://www.sammamish.us/government/police/

09/10/2026

Just in the last month, community members have reported phone scams to Sammamish Police Detectives, resulting in the loss of thousands of dollars. Sammamish Police want you to be vigilant and careful when answering calls, especially from unknown numbers.

Know the signs of a phone scam ☎️

Scammers can be convincing—and they often create a sense of urgency to get you to act before you have time to think.

Watch for these warning signs 🚩
Pressure to make an immediate decision
Threats of arrest or other consequences
Requests to “confirm” personal or financial information
Demands for payment by gift card, wire transfer or cash
Claims that your computer has a virus or requests for remote access
Calls from someone claiming to be a friend or relative who urgently needs money
Prerecorded calls (robocalls) from unfamiliar organizations

If something doesn’t feel right, hang up. Don’t provide personal information or send money. If the caller claims to represent a government agency, business or family member, independently verify the situation using a phone number you know is legitimate. If there is an incident, please notify Sammamish Police.

09/01/2026

E-bike or e-motorcycle? Know the difference before you buy.

With electric bikes becoming more popular, especially among young riders, it’s important for parents and caregivers to understand that not every electric two-wheeler is an e-bike.

E-bikes have fully operable pedals, an electric motor of 750 watts or less, and fall into one of three classes. Depending on the class, assisted speeds are limited to 20 or 28 mph. 🚲

E-motorcycles may not have pedals, can have motors exceeding 750 watts, and may be capable of speeds above 28 mph. They also come with additional requirements, including a valid driver’s license, motorcycle endorsement, vehicle registration, liability insurance, required equipment, and a helmet. 🏍️

Before purchasing an electric bike for your child, check the motor wattage, top speed, pedals, and classification. A vehicle that looks like an e-bike may actually be an e-motorcycle—and different laws apply.

For more information, check out our website.
https://www.sammamish.us/government/police/e-bicycles-e-motorcycles/

08/26/2026

The Sammamish Police Department was honored to welcome an exceptional group of young community members from VT SEVA (Volunteering Together for Service) this week.

During their time at the department, Sammamish officers and detectives provided an inside, real-time look at criminal procedures, investigations, and the daily work that helps keep our community safe. The group asked thoughtful questions, actively participated in discussions, and showed a genuine commitment to understanding public safety and service.

The Sammamish Police Department extends our sincere appreciation to VT SEVA for spending the day with us and for the outstanding service they provide throughout our community.

08/19/2026

E-bike or e-motorcycle? Knowing the difference helps keep everyone safe. 🚲

Legal e-bikes must:
• Have working pedals
• Have a motor that produces no more than 750 watts
• Not exceed 20 MPH without pedaling

If a bike doesn't meet those requirements, it's considered a motorcycle and must be registered, insured, street-legal, and operated by a licensed driver wearing a helmet.

Remember:
E-bikes aren't allowed on soft-surface trails or boardwalks in Sammamish. 🚫
Class 3 e-bikes aren't allowed on sidewalks unless no other bike or pedestrian path is available. 🚫
Motorcycles can't be ridden on trails or sidewalks. 🚫

Learn more by watching this video from the Sammamish Police Department:

The City is actively reviewing and updating its video content to en...

08/14/2026

We're seeing more bears in this part of the county, and a little awareness can go a long way in keeping both people and wildlife safe.

If you encounter a bear...
Keep your distance (at least 100 yards away) 🐻
Stay calm and don't raise your voice 😌
Never run 🏃‍♂️
Avoid direct eye contact and sudden movements 👀

Help prevent unwanted bear encounters by securing garbage, pet food, grills, and other attractants. Consider replacing bird feeders with birdhouses, birdbaths, or native plants. When exploring outdoors, hike in groups, stay on maintained trails, carry bear spray, and avoid hiking at dawn, dusk, or after dark.

Remember: Never feed bears or intentionally approach them. Respecting wildlife helps keep our community safe. 🐻

08/13/2026

We spent the weekend supporting the Blue Angels at Seafair!

08/11/2026

National Night Out is more than just an evening of fun—it's a chance to strengthen the relationships that help keep our community safe.

Police, along with Mayor Josh Amato, Deputy Mayor Debbie Treen, and Councilmember Amy Lam participated in this year’s event, dropping by a few block parties to meet people.

We are grateful for everyone who hosts and those who join in to talk to one another. It was a great chance to meet people and answer questions. Your support, partnership, and commitment to looking out for one another are what make this community so safe.