The Bellevue Police Foundation raised more than $100,000 to support the purchase of technology tools and equipment for the Bellevue Police Department at its third-annual fundraising breakfast March 16. That figure tops the $64,000 total raised at last year’s event.

Since it was founded in 2009, the Bellevue Police Foundation has contributed more than $147,500 in equipment and training to the police department.  This year’s theme, “Using Tomorrow’s Technology for Law Enforcement Today” emphasized the importance of recent purchases by the foundation during 2011, such as the purchase of iPads, SWAT night vision goggles, T-3 electric vehicle, computer forensics software and a new police K-9 named Diego.  Chief Linda Pillo of the Bellevue Police Department was thrilled to see the large turnout and acknowledged how the tools granted to the department assists officers in working more efficiently in predicting crime patterns and communicate remotely with both investigators and witnesses.

The Puget Sound Energy Foundation also awarded a grant to the Bellevue Police Foundation that facilitated the purchase of CrimeView Desktop analytical software package.

Keynote speaker, Ann Rule, engaged the audience by sharing stories of her prior experiences in law enforcement, with particular emphasis on how recent technological advancements have played an integral role in aiding law enforcement.