January 24, 2020
BREMERTON – The Washington State Patrol (WSP), Bremerton Police Department (BPD) and Port Orchard Police Department (POPD) teamed up Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020, to reduce injury, serious injury and fatality collisions during a “High Visibility Enforcement” (HIVE) patrol.
The HIVE patrol took place between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. along state Route 16 in Gorst and state Route 160 in Port Orchard, resulting in the following:
• 83 traffic stops, including 20 drivers contacted for exceeding the speed limit
• Two drug arrests (one felony, one misdemeanor)
• Six drivers with suspended licenses
• Zero collisions reported within emphasis area
“After reviewing Thursday’s efforts and seeing the outcome, WSP will be adding additional resources and asking more allied agencies to partner with us toward our shared goal of safe roadways,” said WSP
District 8 Captain James Mjor. “We plan to conduct these types of emphasis patrols in and around Gorst on a regular basis to reduce collisions.”
WSP data from the past six years identifies the five-mile radius near Gorst as an area with a high volume of collisions, 25 percent of which result in injuries, serious injuries or fatalities. Forty percent of collisions WSP investigates within the area of Gorst occur between the hours of 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
HIVE patrols focused on collision causing violations, including speed, following distance, impaired driving, distracted driving and aggressive driving behaviors.
Future HIVE patrol will be held in high collision areas throughout Kitsap County, including on state Route 3 and state Route 16 Thursday, February 13, 2020, and on state Route 303 Thursday, February 27, 2020.
A Washington State Patrol trooper conducts a traffic stop on eastbound state Route 16 at the Tremont Street exit as part of a HIVE patrol Thursday, Jan. 24, 2020. (Photo courtesy of WSP)
A Bremerton Police Department (BPD) officer conducts a traffic stop on westbound state Route 16 entering Gorst Thursday, Jan. 24, 2020. (Photo courtesy of WSP)
A Port Orchard Police Department officer conducts a traffic stop off Sedgwick Road (state Route 160) near Bethel Road in Port Orchard as part of a multi-agency emphasis on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2020. (Photo courtesy of WSP)
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