KENNEWICK, Wash. – Police are continuing to look into the death of a four-year-old child at the Econo Lodge in Kennewick. One business owner who owns a preschool near the motel said she’s fed up.
Leslie Hieb is the owner of Level Up Preschool. She said she’s had to install cameras around the school and put up trespassing signs. She said she’s witnessed drug use in the area.
She said she’s taken extra precautions to keep the children at her school safe. The issue is impacting her business.
“People who come to potentially be one of my customers drive by to check the place out,” said Hieb. “I feel they just leave because of drug use.”
Hieb said she has her students practice drills. If she blows a whistle a certain way, they come inside.
The Kennewick Police Department‘s Commander Aaron Clem said they are aware of the area and are there frequently. Commander Clem said the department relies on the community to keep them aware of what is going on in our community. Clem said they’re trying to do their part.
“We do have a partnership with three other community organizations,” said Clem. “Every Thursday we go out in the city and make contact with homeless individuals to try to offer them assistance and resources. About a quarter of those contacts that we make every week is in that area.”
Clem recommends business owners sign a trespass authorization form with KPD. This way, once the owner consents, KPD can arrest people who aren’t supposed to be there on their property.
