Kirkland Police Chief Eric Olsen had the honor of announcing the winning name for the Department’s two Utility Terrain Vehicles (UTVs) at the June 2, City Council meeting. Students from Henry David Thoreau Elementary School submitted the name “E.P.I.C” (Environmental Police Investigation Car), which received the highest number of online votes from the community.

Chief Olsen was joined by Mayor Amy Walen and Councilmember Shelley Kloba to present a certificate of recognition to the representatives from the winning school: student Mason Clemons, teacher Casey Conroy and Principal Mylinda Mallon.

In effort to engage local youth in a unique way, the City, with support from the Lake Washington School District, launched a UTV naming contest. Elementary students in fifth and fourth-and-fifth combination grade classes were encouraged to submit names. Seven school participated: A.G. Bell, Discovery Community, Ben Franklin, Juanita, Peter Kirk, Carl Sandburg and Henry David Thoreau. A community-wide online vote was held during mid-May resulting in over 200 votes.

In January, 2015, the Kirkland Police Department added the two UTVs to its fleet. They will be primarily used to patrol the Cross Kirkland Corridor and will be operational later this month. The vehicles are 100% electric, four-wheel drive, legal for street driving, can reach up to 35 miles per hour and are equipped with lights and sirens.

For more information about the UTVs and the naming contest, go to www.kirklandwa.gov/crosskirklandcorridor or contact Patricia Ball with the Kirkland Police Department at 425-587-3408 or pball@kirklandwa.gov.