June 27, 2023
BREMERTON, Wash. – The Washington State Patrol (WSP), Bremerton Police Department (BPD), and Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) will conduct 10 consecutive “High Visibility Enforcement” (HVE) patrols within the five-mile radius of Gorst this summer with a shared goal of reducing serious injury and fatality collisions, as well as reducing and interdicting crime.
Washington State experienced a 21-year high number of fatality crashes in 2022, resulting 750 tragic deaths according to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC). Of those fatality collisions, 23 percent involved an impaired driver and 48 percent involved excessive speed.
There were 19 fatality collisions in Kitsap County in 2022, the highest year since 2016 with 21 fatal crashes.
The 10-weeks of emphasis patrols support the statewide “Surviving Summer” campaign, bringing attention to the 90 dangerous days for drivers on Washington roadways. For the past five years, June 9 to Sept. 7 has become the highest consecutive 90-day period for traffic-related fatalities in the state, claiming 967 lives over the course of the past five summers (July to August).
The first emphasis Kitsap County HVE patrol is Thursday, June 29, with the final emphasis scheduled for Thursday, August 31. The focus area includes West Bremerton and areas of Port Orchard. Kitsap County area law enforcement conducted similar emphasis patrols in the summer of 2022.
The HVE patrol locations and times are dictated by data collected by each agency. Law enforcement participating utilize an all crimes approach with a focus on collision causing violations including speed, following distance, impaired driving, distracted driving and aggressive driving behaviors.
Follow the WSP District 8 (@wspd8pio), BPD (@BremertonPD), KCSO (@KitsapCoSheriff) on Twitter to learn of the progress of the HiVE efforts.
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