Keep the good work Chief! - Badge #6454

In May of 2019, the US Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington designated the City of Yakima and the Yakima Valley as their chosen community for "Project Safe Neighborhoods". It was the beginning of an incredible strategic partnership which evolved into the focused deterrence model outlined in the book, "Don't Shoot" by David M. Kennedy. Despite the struggles of a global pandemic, strong relationships were developed with ATF, the FBI, HSI, the Marshals Service and the DEA. And the shared vision was the relentless pursuit to reduce violent crime. Over two years ago YPD Gang Unit Detectives and their ATF partners began an intense focus on a violent Yakima street gang. The more they dug, the more they uncovered. Eventually, they determined that the structure and leadership of the gang reached across the United States. As the group gathered more and more evidence, the US Attorney's Office worked closely with investigators to develop a prosecutable conspiracy case against a very large group of individuals. In April of 2024, the US Attorney brought evidence to the federal grand jury which resulted in scores of federal indictments. Federal agents from across the country flew to Yakima, and on April 18, 2024, began to execute arrest and search warrants across our county and the State of Washington. This operation was the largest of its kind any Yakima Police investigator can recall. And I want to assure the community that we are not done. We will continue to focus on those who dedicate themselves to violence and refuse to choose a life free of gangs. We will remain steadfast in our focused deterrence philosophy, offering those who want to change a way out and pursuing those who will not leave a life of crime and violence. Although the City of Yakima has experienced a dramatic reduction in crime over the past three years, the results of this effort will continue to make Yakima safer. I am extremely proud of the thousands of hours of work that went into getting this operation to the point we are at today. The unseen investigators do not deserve to be unsung heroes. The Yakima community owes you a debt of gratitude!

And many of them had breakfast at Jeans Cottage Inn 🙂 Or so I was told.

now for the next, and most important step. prosecution, and punishment. catching them doesnt really matter if they are returned to the streets immediately.

Great job, born and raised in Yakima, excited to see Yakima become a safer place for my kids and grandkids to live.. prosecution is the key.. The slap on the hand philosophy doesn’t work.. more of these stings are what we need..

This is very positive news and very grateful for YPD and all law enforcement officers. Thank you for sharing. Yakima County needs more help, this was a successful start.

Thank you Chief. My family and community thanks you and all your officers and staff for a safer city of Yakima and our County 💯 🇺🇸 🇲🇽

Great job officers. Keep up the great work and make Yakima and the area safer for all of us.

Thanks chief ! I read the book you reference … it is a must read .

Thank you all for working tirelessly to keep our community safe 💙💙

Great job💙now we need stiffer laws instead of a slap on the hand to back up what our officers are doing to clean up our communities and putting their lives on the line for us.

Thank you, Chief Murray. Your dedication to community safety is much appreciated. I wish more people understood that it takes a long time to investigate such a large endeavor. Too many people believe CSI..... you should solve it in one episode.

Wow nice work to everyone involved in this effort.

Thank you, Chief Murray and all officers involved in keeping Yakima safe!🇺🇸

Terrific job!!🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Great Job, thank you for all the hard work of everyone involved. stay Safe 💙💙💙

Thank you unsung hero’s!!

Thank you for sharing this, and for the work you and your officers and staff do to “serve and protect”.

Thank you! Our community is worth it!!

Let’s go! Good job YPD!

Thanks for your leadership!

This entire county owes all officers a debt that can NEVER be repaid!!

Great job! ❤️❤️❤️

Here is the issue… and I BACK THE BLUE THROUGH AND THROUGH. I have lived here my whole life. I DONT FEEL SAFE. Where I work in an office in Yakima I am required to lock the door. You have been Chief for years…..why are you posting this now ? Are you afraid you are going to lose your job? You should have moved mountains the first few years you were here. Trust me I know many many employees of yours. I don’t hold that much trust in you.. the other agencies that did your job I give my highest respect to. They get the blue bear now. I just don’t think you deserve it Chief. You can have a conversation with me if you want but this community could use a real leader. Everyone is thanking you….. it’s honestly pathetic. Every other agency put the time and heart into this and you get to post it like you are Superman. The real hero’s don’t boast but you do like you did the community a favor.

Thank you! Keep up the good work.

Getting a little better

Molly Johnston

Thank You YPD🇺🇸