February 12, 2020
BREMERTON – The Washington State Patrol (WSP), Bremerton Police Department (BPD), Port Orchard Police Department (POPD) and Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) are teaming up for a second “High Visibility Enforcement” (HIVE) patrol tomorrow to continue the shared mission of reducing injury, serious injury and fatality collisions.
The HIVE patrol is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020, focusing on state Route 3 and state Route 16 in the vicinity of Gorst. Law enforcement motorcycle units, narcotics K9 teams, Drug Recognition Experts (DREs) and WSP aircraft will participate in the day-long emphasis.
“I appreciate the partnership of these agencies to remind motorists to drive safely so we can reach our goal of zero fatalities,” said Marsha Masters, Kitsap County Target Zero Manager. “One life lost is one too many, and it’s up to all of us to take driving seriously, not only in this area, but wherever you travel.
“When you drive, you need to be driving – buckle up, pay attention, slow down and drive sober.”
This is the second HIVE patrol focused on the Gorst area. The first occurred on Jan. 23, focusing on state Route 16 and state Route 160 in Port Orchard. WSP data collected since 2014 shows the five-mile radius near Gorst as high collision volume area, with 25 percent of crashes resulting in injury, serious injury or fatalities.
Emphasis efforts will also focus on key problem times throughout the day. During the Jan. 23 emphasis, patrols conducted 83 traffic stops between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., which is when 40 percent of collisions occur in the Gorst area. No collisions were reported in the emphasis area during the HIVE patrol.
HIVE patrols focus on collision causing violations, including speed, following distance, impaired driving, distracted driving and aggressive driving behaviors. In addition to tomorrow’s HIVE patrol, a third patrol is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 27, focusing on state Route 303.
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