Additional officers, patrol cars in town prompt questions

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At 9,551, Port Townsend is a small enough town that local residents and motorists noticed when there appeared to be more patrol cars on the streets than usual July 19, but Port Townsend Police Chief Michael Evans assured The Leader that the public has no cause for alarm. Evans explained July 19 was when an in-service training was scheduled for Port Townsend Police officers, so people were seeing extra patrol cars going to and coming from the training. “We also had oral boards for new officer applicants, downtown at City Hall, and that added another three out-of-town police cars to the mix,” said Evans, who added that Port Townsend Police oral exam teams include personnel from a variety of outside agencies. One caller reported his morning coffee stop, where he rarely if ever sees a uniformed officer, was frequented this morning by two uniformed policemen. Overhearing that, a Leader news staffer said he'd observed two patrol cars at City Hall, a rare sight given that Port Townsend's police station is over hill and down dale at the Mountain View Campus. With a Departmental group photo that features fewer than 20 faces, it's no wonder Port Townsendites sensed an increase in the force. An extra four cars would constitute a 20 percent increase in constabulary vehicles, which is a statistically significant deviation from the norm. The Leader appreciates tips and calls from observant readers and endeavors to explain that which can be explained.