GCSO readies to patrol dry dunes
Alcohol ban will play major role in weekend enforcement
MOSES LAKE — For deputies with the Grant County Sheriff's Office, this weekend will be a test.
Memorial Day weekend at the Moses Lake Sand Dunes is a notorious time for the agency, where alcohol consumption and a park packed with partygoers has been known to cause problems. The GCSO hopes to curb the number of alcohol-related problems at the dunes, and the agency pushed passage of a new law to ban alcohol at the dunes year-round.
That alcohol ban was unanimously passed by the county commissioners last month, and GCSO Chief Deputy Courtney Conklin said as many as 20 reserve and active deputies could be out patrolling the dunes area this weekend. The number of deputies patrolling the area, Conklin said will be increased from previous years.
"We don't know what to expect," he said.
If past years are any suggestion, Conklin said as many as 10,000 people will flood the park on Memorial Day. Holding a beer could cost you a $100 ticket at the dunes, but Conklin said alcohol won't be the only target for deputies. Conklin said helmet and riding laws will also be enforced for Off-Road Vehicle riders.
Firefighters and Emergency Medical Technicians with Grant County Fire District No. 5 will set up a first aid station at their Potato Hill Road location to respond to potential accidents at the dunes.
"We're hoping it eliminates the partyers from coming strictly to party," Conklin said of the ban.
In addition to placing "Alcohol Prohibited" signs up at the ORV area, the GCSO is looking to advertise the ban to other areas of the state. Conklin has sent out announcements to Seattle-based media outlets to increase awareness of the ban.
The county has also approved an alcohol ban at the Beverly sand dunes, and the GCSO has plans to have between four and six deputies patrolling that area.
While both sand dunes may be packed, Conklin said the GCSO will also be patrolling other areas of the county in what is the busiest weekend for the agency.