Editor’s Note: This is the final story of a four-part series on policing in Kirkland’s new annexed neighborhoods of Finn Hill, Kingsgate and North Juanita. Part one examined the new fireworks ban and enforcement efforts, part two looked at the proposed new jail facility and part three addressed the Kirkland Police Department’s goals for the new neighborhoods.

Clifford Walter was raised in South Philadelphia in the early 50’s, a street kid who learned very early to never trust a cop.

He was taught that there were only two kinds of cops – good and bad – and to always assume the one you are dealing with is a bad cop.

So with many of his police encounters, Walter was not impressed – until he met the Kirkland Police.

For nearly two years, Walter and a group of neighbors at the Olympic Village Condos in Kingsgate have struggled to find quiet from Tony’s Bar & Grill (formerly Suede Sports Bar), which the group believes is a noise nuisance. The Reporter published a story last August, outlining the neighbor’s frustration with the King County Sheriff’s Office’s response to the issue.

On the eve of the June 1 annexation, Kirkland Police were already responding to the noise issue. Lt. John Haslip sent Walter an email, stating he would review the matter and assign the proper resources to “fully evaluate the issue and work toward a solution.”

Walter was surprised by Haslip’s quick response.

“I was surprised that the contact came on the very morning we were incorporated into Kirkland proper, I was greatly impressed,” Walter wrote back to Haslip in a June 2 email, noting the professionalism of the Kirkland Police Department.  “I just returned from the business breakfast held at the Caribbean Casino where I got to hear about the workings of the Kirkland Police Department and I must say I am even more deeply impressed … It’s certainly encouraging to see our plight taken seriously unlike our reception by the King County Sheriffs in the past.”

Prior to annexation, Walter and other neighbors gave up on calling the King County police after four months of no response, they said. However, KCSO officials believed the bar owner was in compliance with the ordinance.

Kirkland Police actively collected facts, including the Reporter’s story, on both sides of the issue. Jon Ishmael, a neighborhood resource officer, sat down with the neighbors to hear their concerns, and with bar owner Tony Helo.

Helo did not respond to any of the Reporter’s requests for comment.

“They want to be good neighbors and are open to finding a resolution at this time,” said Ishmael in a June 8 email to the neighbors. “First, I want to see if the noise continues now that I have spoken with them.  They think there is a certain DJ that will not listen to the night managers when asked to turn things down so they are looking into that.”

He also advised neighbors to call 911 and have an officer respond to any further noise complaints. Walter phoned in a complaint around midnight on June 12. Shortly afterwards, a patrol officer called him back and said he would stop by the bar and speak with the manager – another impressive result for Walter and his neighbors.

Two days later, during yet another noisy night for the neighbors, an officer called Walter to let him know he asked the bar manager to shut his doors and turn down the music volume.

“And lo and behold all I hear is the rain, OMG!” Walter said in a June 14 email to neighbors. “Between the time I hung up the phone with 911 and the officer called me back was under 15 minutes. Kirkland, you rock!”

Since annexation, Walter has enjoyed some warm nights when he can keep his windows open without hearing loud music from the bar next door. On some nights, his wife, Muriel Albert, can even take her earplugs out.

“This police department has done in a few short weeks something we have not been able to accomplish in at least a year – they have restored our peace and quiet to us,” said Walter.

It’s not perfect and there are still some loud, sleepless nights. But neighbors, including Linda Trelstad, have noted an overall difference with the increased police presence.

outlining the neighbor’s frustration with the King County Sheriff’s Office’s response to the issue.

On the eve of the June 1 annexation, Kirkland Police were already responding to the noise issue. Lt. John Haslip sent Walter an email, stating he would review the matter and assign the proper resources to “fully evaluate the issue and work toward a solution.”

Walter was surprised by Haslip’s quick response.

“I was surprised that the contact came on the very morning we were incorporated into Kirkland proper, I was greatly impressed,” Walter wrote back to Haslip in a June 2 email, noting the professionalism of the Kirkland Police Department.  “I just returned from the business breakfast held at the Caribbean Casino where I got to hear about the workings of the Kirkland Police Department and I must say I am even more deeply impressed … It’s certainly encouraging to see our plight taken seriously unlike our reception by the King County Sheriffs in the past.”

Prior to annexation, Walter and other neighbors gave up on calling the King County police after four months of no response, they said. However, KCSO officials believed the bar owner was in compliance with the ordinance.

Kirkland Police actively collected facts, including the Reporter’s story, on both sides of the issue. Jon Ishmael, a neighborhood resource officer, sat down with the neighbors to hear their concerns, and with bar owner Tony Helo. Helo did not respond to any of the Reporter’s requests for comment.

“They want to be good neighbors and are open to finding a resolution at this time,” said Ishmael about the bar owners in a June 8 email to the neighbors. “First, I want to see if the noise continues now that I have spoken with them. They think there is a certain DJ that will not listen to the night managers when asked to turn things down so they are looking into that.”

He also advised neighbors to call 911 and have an officer respond to any further noise complaints. Walter phoned in a complaint around midnight on June 12. Shortly afterwards, a patrol officer called him back and said he would stop by the bar and speak with the manager – another impressive result for Walter and his neighbors.

Two days later, during yet another noisy night for the neighbors, an officer called Walter to let him know he asked the bar manager to shut his doors and turn down the music volume.

“And lo and behold all I hear is the rain, OMG!” Walter said in a June 14 email to neighbors. “Between the time I hung up the phone with 911 and the officer called me back was under 15 minutes. Kirkland, you rock!”

Since annexation, Walter has enjoyed some warm nights when he can keep his windows open without hearing loud music from the bar next door. On some nights, his wife, Muriel Albert, can even take her earplugs out.

“This police department has done in a few short weeks something we have not been able to accomplish in at least a year – they have restored our peace and quiet to us,” said Walter.

It’s not perfect and there are still some loud, sleepless nights. But neighbors, including Linda Trelstad, have noted an overall difference with the increased police presence.

Haslip said both the neighbors and bar owner has “legitimate yet contrasting concerns. We anticipate that this will be an ongoing project, but we are working hard with everyone to find a middle ground, which is amenable to everyone. However, in the short time since June 1, we have already seen very positive impacts and an increased willingness for everyone to work together.”

He also noted the situation has been an opportunity for the KPD to “prove ourselves, establish neutrality, build new relationships, and demonstrate to our new community that we are accessible, interactive and genuinely committed to resolving issues beyond simple enforcement needs.”

Haslip says bringing two parties together to work cooperatively is a “complicated task,” but, “I think we can get there.”

To request an officer for a non-emergency incident, call 425-577-5656.