Intense Investigation Results In Indecent Exposure And Disorderly Conduct Charges

Per Chief Zanella, on October 27, 2026, at approximately 1655 hours (4:55 PM), Lake Forest Park Police officers were dispatched to the Lake Forest Park Town Center in response to a report of an older male sitting near young children and exposing his genitalia. Dispatch provided a description of the subject and advised that the suspect had left the area after being confronted. Officers responded immediately and conducted an extensive search of the surrounding area but were unable to locate him.

Stock drawing

Upon learning of this disturbing incident, Chief Zanella directed Cmdr. Adams to make the investigation a priority, focus his attention on this matter, and work closely with detectives to identify the suspect and determine whether he was connected to other similar incidents.

Lake Forest Park Detectives, led by Cmdr. Adams, immediately initiated an investigation. Through witness interviews, an extensive review of surveillance footage, and the development of additional investigative leads, detectives identified a potential suspect. His identity was subsequently confirmed through a photographic lineup. After establishing the suspect's identity and identifying a consistent modus operandi, detectives were able to link him to numerous incidents in Lake Forest Park dating back to at least 2017. Further investigation connected the suspect to as many as 30 additional incidents throughout the north end of King County. The incidents involved female victims ranging in age from adults to preteen children.

On October 29, 2026, following extensive surveillance at the suspect's residence over the preceding couple of days, detectives successfully took him into custody as he exited the home. No use of force was necessary during the arrest.

The investigation remains ongoing as detectives continue working to identify and link the suspect to additional incidents and potential victims.

When asked if the individual charged could be identified, Chief Zanella said, "He did not go through the first appearance with the judge yet, so I can’t provide his name at this time," and didn't immediately respond to the following questions:

• Does a Washington state statute, court rule, or other legal authority prohibit the department from identifying an individual after formal criminal charges have been filed but before the individual's first court appearance? 
• Is this instead an internal policy of the Lake Forest Park Police Department? 
• Does the department distinguish between someone who has been arrested, someone referred to the King County Prosecuting Attorney, and someone against whom formal charges have been filed? 
• Does the department apply this policy consistently to all criminal charges, including serious felonies? 

In March 2024, LFP resident Cameron Javad Sharif was charged with similar offenses, but Chief Zanella didn't immediately say whether this was the same individual when asked.

Radio Encryption Stifles Media And Public Access

In 2015, King County passed Proposition No. 1, a Regular Property Tax Levy, by a two-thirds majority. This vote funded the PSERN Project, whose primary objective was to transition from the KCERCS analog system to a state-of-the-art digital radio system, which cost $293 million.

One feature of PSERN that most emergency services in King County use is the ability to encrypt radio transmissions, providing military-grade encryption that no app or radio scanner can decipher. The increased costs for this system are built into the City's public safety budget. It is the main justification for the upcoming Prop 1 tax increase on November's ballot. 

According to PSERN's website, the fees to utilize this system are:

• Public Safety radio – $42.65 per radio per month
• Non-Public Safety radio – $33.27 per radio per month
• Dispatch console – $1,145.88 per console per month

In addition to the service fees discussed above, PSERN radio user agencies are responsible for all costs associated with purchasing, installing, maintaining, and repairing their radio equipment and accessories.

On Sept 1st, 2026, LFP and Bothell PD, along with several other agencies, went completely "dark" (encrypted) on all frequencies. Around the country, many agencies leave their dispatch channels unencrypted while encrypting tactical, surveillance, detective,  and SWAT channels. One reason for allowing the public and media to listen is to keep them aware in real time (think urban wildfire or active shooter). Another reason is that police scanners are legal and public in the United States because the airwaves are considered a public resource, protected by the Communications Act of 1934 and the First Amendment.

As police surveillance (license plate readers, drones, traffic cameras, etc.) increases, encryption is curtailing the public's ability to monitor police activity. Agencies cite officer safety and the privacy of those they serve; however: 

• Palo Alto, California: Asked by the Palo Alto Daily Post for any report from January 2018 to January 2021 of a crime in which a suspect was aided by a police scanner, the city replied that it had "no responsive records" and does not keep that statistic (Palo Alto Daily Post, May 28, 2021)
• Broadcastify: Founder Lindsay Blanton: "We've never had a law enforcement agency present us with evidence that we've put officers in danger by what we do." (Built In, June 23, 2020)

Chief Zanella responded as follows to the question "How did encryption come about":

Last year, NORCOM informed the Police Operations Group, which includes police leaders from Kirkland PD, Bellevue PD, Mercer Island PD, Lake Forest Park PD, Bothell PD, and other agencies, that several departments wanted to begin discussions about encrypting police radio transmissions.

The primary concern was officer safety. Across the United States, there have been instances of patrol officers being ambushed by suspects who monitor unencrypted police radio channels to obtain information such as officers’ locations, travel routes, and the number of officers responding to a call. Encrypting police communications would help mitigate this risk and reduce the chance that suspects exploit this information. Over the following several months, we discussed the advantages and disadvantages of encryption. Ultimately, all members of the Police Operations Group voted to implement it.

Unfortunately, these claims haven't been backed up by any facts or studies. Furthermore, this change did not come with a public vote, a robust community discussion, or clear evidence that such sweeping secrecy was necessary. Chief Zanella, when asked whether any facts were presented to support claims of operational compromise or officer safety issues, only offered the statement above. 

According to The Almanac:

What has been documented, however, is the harm caused when transparency disappears.

When radios go silent, journalists can no longer independently verify official statements. Breaking news coverage is delayed or never happens. Communities lose situational awareness during emergencies. Patterns of response, resource allocation, and officers' language vanish from public view. Oversight becomes reactive rather than real-time.

This is not theoretical. It is already happening.

Law enforcement has seen the benefit, as has the public, of body-worn cameras. An accusation can be verified or quickly shown to be unsubstantiated, and public service radio transmissions have been used to do the same.

Sources: PSERN official FAQ, King County Auditor's Office, and King County's February 2024 completion announcement

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