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Fairwood couple killed; grandson in custody By DEAN A. RADFORD dradford@rentonreporter.com
Robert and Norma Taylor picked up their grandson Michael from prison last Friday, taking him on errands and getting ready for a welcome-home party with his family. After the party at their Fairwood home, the Taylors said goodnight to everyone and settled in with Michael for the night. Sometime Saturday, the Taylors, ages 82 and 80, were killed – as of Wednes-
day, the medical examiner had not reported how – and Michael “Chadd” Boysen was on the run, apparently in his grandparents’ red Chrysler sedan. The Taylors’ daughter – Michael’s mother – found them dead at home after they couldn’t be contacted. Michael Boysen A massive manhunt began for the 26-year-old Boysen, a convicted felon sentenced to nine months in prison
for an attempted residential burglary in Kent. He had served five years in prison for a similar conviction. Boysen’s family lives in the area and he has ties to the Maple Valley area. Security at some Tahoma School District schools was heightened Monday as a precaution because Boysen is a former student in the district. The schools were not placed on lockdown. The hunt ended Tuesday evening after Boysen checked into a motel in Lincoln City, a resort town on the [ more Killings page 11 ]
Robert and Norma Taylor lived at this home on 145th Avenue Southeast in Fairwood. Brian beckley, Renton Reporter
Dash cams keep them honest Cameras in police cars help the detectives solve crimes and work to lower liability costs to the city By Brian Beckley bbeckley@rentonreporter.com
Fireman makes it to top in 13 minutes, 8 seconds By Brian Beckley bbeckley@rentonreporter.com
If you are ever trapped at the top of a lot of stairs while your home is on fire, Josh Brown is the man you want on your side. Last weekend Brown, a Renton firefighter, posted the city’s fastest time up the Columbia [ more climb page 9 ]
Your Residential Specialists
Detective Chris Edwards demonstrates how police use the camera systems mounted in 18 of Renton’s police cars. The program is expanding to 28 cars this year. Brian Beckley, Renton Reporter “There’s no arguing with a camera.” Detective Chris Edwards said the cameras, which are mounted both near the rearview mirror facing forward as well as inside facing the backseat, are used for traffic stops, enforcement actions and any other time an officer may fear for their safety or liability issues. “The system is there to protect the officer, the city and the citizen,” Edwards
said. The cameras were first installed in the summer of 2010 and cost $400 each, according to spokesperson Preeti Shridhar. Police can activate the cameras anytime from a touch screen located near the rearview mirror and they automatically activate on certain cues, such as when [ more cameras page 12 ]
206-949-1696 info@marciemaxwell.com 744732
Firefighter Josh Brown gets a good look at Columbia Tower in Seattle before the climb Sunday. Submitted
It’s been almost three years since the Renton Police Department began installing cameras in its police cars and already the system is paying dividends. Presently, there are 18 Renton police cars with the cameras and that has been enough to already begin to see the effects, not just for the police, but also saving the city some money in terms of liability insurance, according to Renton risk manager Gary Lamb. At a recent presentation to the City Council’s Committee of the Whole, Lamb credited the cameras with helping lower the city’s liability insurance. Lamb said it was only his opinion the dash cams are making a difference, but added the cameras and their footage have been used on several claims against the city, bolstering the city’s case. He also said the threat of using the camera footage has also shut down several claims that were pending. “It keeps people honest,” Lamb said.