COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho – “Don’t come to Kootenai County on vacation, and leave on probation,” Bob Norris said, a yearly refrain from the Kootenai County Sheriff every year around the 4th of July, the county’s biggest holiday.
“Generally between Memorial Day and Labor Day, we’re going to have anywhere upwards of 600,000 people visit,” Sheriff Norris said. “Generally, we’re going to have tens of thousands of people visit Kootenai County (and) Coeur d’Alene from Wednesday (July 3) all the way through Sunday.”
Not only is Coeur d’Alene one of the most popular summer destination spots, it’s also located right on the Washington border. And when it comes to the two states’ attitudes towards drug use, they couldn’t be further apart.
“Some of (the) controlled substances for the state of Washington are decriminalized,” Sheriff Norris said. “They’re not decriminalized here in Idaho, so one could go to jail or prison for possession of fentanyl, methamphetamine or cocaine.”
According to the Coeur d’Alene Police Department, some of the most common infractions over Independence Day weekend aren’t drugs, but people shooting aerial fireworks and publicly drinking on the beach; two things illegal citywide.
“Leave the alcohol at home, leave the fireworks at home,” Sergeant Jared Reneau said. “Come and enjoy the water and enjoy the firework show that the city will put on.”
