Full Notification

GRANT COUNTY, Wash. (26MAY2015) – Grant County Sheriff’s Deputies handled a wide variety of incidents this past weekend with thousands of people visiting the area.

“In regard to calls for service and tickets issued, this past weekend was similar to previous Memorial Day weekends,” said Sheriff Tom Jones. “We did see a slight decrease in criminal complaints at the Gorge. I think it’s important to mention that most of the people who come to visit Grant County are polite, respectful and don’t cause problems.”

****Gorge Unit:
• 26,100 concert attendees for Sasquatch music festival
• 36 calls for service between Thursday and Monday. Complaints were for drug offenses, trespassing, assault, traffic accident, theft and disturbances.
• 21 people were arrested; 11 were booked into jail. Offenses included drug violations, trespassing, assault, hit & run, and outstanding warrants.

In contrast, at Sasquatch 2014 GCSO answered 48 calls for service which resulted in 18 arrests.

The Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team was also working at the Gorge. INET arrested 9 people on charges including delivery of narcotics or possession with intent to deliver narcotics. All deliveries were made to undercover officers. Seized drugs included Molly, cocaine, psilocybin mushrooms, butane honey oil, and marijuana. Four vehicles were seized and impounded.

NOTE: The Gorge statistics from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office only reflect incidents where law enforcement was involved. They do not include incidents where the on-site private emergency medical services provider or on-site private security handled a call exclusively.


****ORV Unit (Moses Lake Dunes):
84 citations issued. Offenses included driving while license suspended, no insurance, alcohol offenses, using a cell phone while driving, seatbelt violations, operating without a helmet, and registration violations.

In comparison, there were 81 citations issued at the dunes during Memorial Day weekend 2014.

EMS was requested to the dunes 3 times over the holiday weekend: 1 for an intoxicated person, 1 for a dehydrated person, and 1 for a collision where the driver was arrested for DUI.


****Marine Unit:
• Vessel Inspections: 108
• Citations issued: 48, Warnings issued: 94. Offenses included not having a mandatory Boater Education Card, inadequate personal flotation devices, failing to display registration numbers, no fire extinguishers, no horn, and reckless or negligent operation.

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PR75/AGT4