Overview
Stretching from the waters of Puget Sound to Mount Rainier, one of the highest points in North America, District 1 is one of the most heavily populated and traveled regions in the state. The average daily vehicle count on Interstate 5 exceeds 170,000 in Pierce County and 120,000 in Thurston County. In addition to the scenic, natural beauty, notable sites include the two bridges spanning the Tacoma Narrows, the Olympia Capitol Campus, Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), and the Tacoma Dome.
Key Measurements and Statistics
In 2020, District 1 troopers:
- Made 56,176 self-initiated contacts
- Assisted 16,910 motorists
- Investigated 6,487 collisions
- Removed 2,205 impaired drivers from our roadways
Successes of 2020
In addition to the pandemic, District 1 personnel responded to widespread protests throughout the region that focused on better police accountability. Our field personnel remained focused on our motto of “Service with Humility” to protect each individual’s right to free speech, while keeping everyone safe. Our personnel are committed to the values of acting with integrity and accountability, and striving for continuous improvement.
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) construction projects continue to have a significant impact to commuters on Interstate 5 throughout the Pierce County area. These projects have included work around the Tacoma Dome, State Route 16 interchange, Tacoma Mall, and through the city of DuPont. To help keep drivers safe, District 1 worked with the WSDOT to implement 50 mph speed zones through these areas to help reduce serious collisions. The WSP has also conducted numerous high visibility patrols through these construction zones.
District 1 continues to participate in the Interstate 5/JBLM Corridor Joint Operations Group with our partners from WSDOT and JBLM. The group meets monthly to discuss common concerns and improve our response to major roadway closures on Interstate 5. The group is expanding to adjoining jurisdictions which are affected by these closures to include city and county law enforcement and fire departments. The concept of the Joint Operations Group has been so successful, other groups are being formed across the state.