Police step up DUI patrols during holidays

Officers around Pierce County, including those in Fife and Milton, have nabbed nearly 1,200 unsafe drivers during the first three weeks of the “Home for Holidays” traffic safety initiative.

The initiative is in collaboration with the X52 program or “Target Zero,” Washington’s traffic safety plan that aims to eliminate traffic deaths and injuries by the year 2030. Three separate multi-agency DUI patrols in Lakewood, East Pierce County and the Fife/Milton area occurred on Nov. 28, Dec. 12 and 19. These patrols resulted in 66 impaired drivers being arrested. All are facing jail time and possibly fees and fines totaling as much as $7,000.

“Going into debt and to jail as a result of a DUI is not a good way to start the new year,” says John Cheesman, chief of the Fircrest Police Department and chair of the Tacoma/Pierce County DUI and Traffic Safety Task Force. “But officers will be doing whatever it takes this holiday season to minimize deaths and disabling injuries on the road.”

Milton Police Chief Bill Rhodes noted that his department has been on the task force since it began and has sent officers to most of the details. Rhodes said that the coordinated efforts between law enforcement agencies, the county and state have had the most impact on curbing impaired drivers all year long.

“The extra emphasis patrols combined with the “Party Patrol,” that targets underage drinking and compliance checks on bars and other establishments by State Liquor Control officers really makes a difference,” Rhodes said.

Fife Police Chief Brad Blackburn said his department has seen a dramatic rise in the number of impaired driving or DUI arrests throughout the year.

“We work hard to keep our roadways safe daily, but we have an extra emphasis during the holidays, as there is a higher concentration of impaired drivers on the roads,” Blackburn said.

He echoes Chief Rhodes’ assertion that local agencies working together collaboratively have made a big impact and great strides in modifying behaviors of motorists.

When DUI police patrols are heightened this New Year’s Eve, local tow companies will offer their services to keep impaired drivers off the streets. Participating tow companies will offer drivers a free tow and ride home, if a participating bartender or tavern owner determines that a driver had too much to drink. More than 200 bars and taverns in Pierce County are participating in this year’s program.

Bill Sullivan of Liberty Towing coordinates the annual “Tow to Go” program involving 14 Pierce County towing companies. Sullivan said the program has been helping the task force keep impaired drivers off the roads for years.

“If we don’t, we’ll surely be called to a wreck where no one will be making it home for the holidays,” Sullivan said.

Agencies participating in the season’s planned enforcement and towing activities include the Fife, Milton, Orting, Sumner, Edgewood, University Place, Lakewood, Tacoma, Steilacoom, Bonney Lake, Gig Harbor, Ruston, Fircrest and Puyallup police departments. Also involved are the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department and the Washington State Patrol.

Participating towing companies include Engel’s, Puyallup, B Line, J & J, Gene’s, Emerald, Western, Tacoma, Lakewood, Bill’s, Burn’s, Bay View, Fife and Liberty Towing.

Commenting rules