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Bellevue police remind residents not to call 911 to report looting

BELLEVUE, Wash. — Officers with the Bellevue Police Department are reminding residents not to call 911 to report looting.

“We are aware of the situation and are actively working on it,” police said.

>> Related: Bellevue mayor declares civil emergency as demonstrators protest

Officials said the NORCOM 911 center is getting flooded with calls reporting looting and the lines need to be left open for emergencies.

Police are asking people to avoid the downtown area as a protest moves through the city.

Bellevue Mayor Lynne Robinson declared a civil emergency as a result of looters in the downtown area damaging property and stealing merchandise.

As part of the emergency declaration, the city is under curfew until 5:30 a.m. Monday.

Earlier Sunday, Bellevue Police Chief Steve Mylett said that unlike in Seattle, the curfew would be enforced and arrests would be made.

Mylett said he believes many people came to Bellevue to steal and not to protest or gather in memory of George Floyd.