Yakima Ordinance 9.25.020 permits open cruise nights from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on the second and third Saturday evenings of the months of June, July, August, and September of each year.
Recently two unsanctioned and unscheduled cruise events occurred in Yakima that impacted the Yakima Police Department’s efforts and staffing. Fortunately there were no significant incidents that occurred requiring an emergency response from Yakima Police Department, Yakima Fire Department and EMS. After this first notable cruising event of 2020 it was determined that the City should plan and be prepared for future unsanctioned and unscheduled events.
The Yakima Police Department was asked to provide Council with an estimate of how much future cruise nights will cost the department and is attached for Council review and discussion. These extra costs were not budgeted for in the 2020 budget and will come from the general fund. Additional Yakima police officers will be available and will be taking enforcement action on criminal and traffic related matters with little discretion during any unauthorized cruise nights. |