Olympia Puts End to Nighttime Walking Patrol

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The Olympia Police Department has decided to put its nighttime walking patrol that has served in the downtown area on hold, citing money and staff shortages.

The Olympian reports that police Lt. Sam Costello says the patrol will end after this week and won't return for at least 18 months.

The nighttime patrol by two officers had been established at the request of downtown business owners over safety concerns.

Officers will still patrol the area in police cruisers at dark.

The reduction comes as Costello says the department has already used funds from its overtime budget to keep the nighttime patrol as planned until the end of the year.

The police department has previously reported that it costs about $10,000 a month to fund the foot patrol.