Enforcement Fair, Required

I n reference to the article that appeared in the Waitsburg Times recently, which alluded to the perception that the Columbia County Sheriff's Office is picking on the people going to or returning from Bluewood, it is the policy of the Columbia County Sheriff's Office to be fair and even handed when issuing infractions and citations.

Therefore I feel there needs to be a written response from my office. In years past the Sheriff's Office and Emergency Medical Services personnel have spent numerous man hours on the North Touchet Road responding to accidents caused by drivers who were going too fast for the conditions. We also received numerous phone calls and complaints about the speed of the vehicles going to and from Bluewood.

In checking our records I have found the following facts so far for the year 2011:

During the month of January 2011, for the entire county, there were a total of 31 traffic infractions written by the Columbia County Sheriff's Office. Out of that number, nine infractions were written on the North Touchet Road. There were also five criminal citations written on the North Touchet Road.

Following is a breakdown of the infractions that were issued: One infraction for expired vehicle license (over two months), two for speeds over the legal limit in a 40 mile per hour zone, two for 12 mph over, four for 13 mph over, one for 15 mph over, and one for 17 mph over (driving nearly 60 mph in a 40 mph zone).

For clarification purposes, the speed limit does not change when you can see the sign. It changes as you pass the black letters/numbers on a white background sign indicating the increase in speed. On the other hand, it is advisable to start reducing your speed when you see ahead the sign indicating a slower posted speed limit. If you are in excess as you pass the sign, you will be in violation of the posted speed.

The criminal citations issued were as follows: one for malicious mischief, one for criminal trespass, one for possession of marijuana (under 40 grams), one for possession of drug paraphernalia, and one for driving while license suspended or revoked.

The United States Forest Service Law Enforcement Division (of which the Columbia County Sheriff's Offi ce has no control over when on National Forest lands) wrote four traffic infractions and one juvenile citation during this time period on their portion of the road, which is above milepost 13. Those were: three for speeds over the legal limit, one for failure to provide current proof of insurance, one for parking in a no-parking area, and one for minor in possession of or consuming intoxicating liquor.

For the month of February 2011, there were a total of 82 traffic infractions written. The Columbia County Sheriff's Office wrote 67 of those infractions, and 18 of them were issued on the North Touchet Road. There were 10 criminal citations written of which seven were issued by the Sheriff's Office. Following is a breakdown for the month of February: one for failure to provide current proof of insurance, one for speed over the posted limit, one for 11 mph over the 40 mph limit, one for 12 mph over, one for 13 mph over, two for 16 mph over, one for 18 mph over, and one for 23 mph over (driving 63 mph in a 40 mph zone).

Citations for driving over the legal limit in a 50 mph zone included: one for 5 mph over, one for 10 mph over, two for 13 mph over, one for 14 mph over, one for 16 mph over, and one for 18 mph over.

Forest Service Law Enforcement issued one infraction for no license on person, failure to provide current proof of insurance, and expired vehicle registration (under two months).

The Forest Service also issued two criminal citations for driving while license suspended or revoked in the 2nd degree and driving while license suspended or revoked in the 3rd degree.

Also there was mention about how fair is it to conduct an emphasis for crosswalk enforcement. The law as per the Revised Code of Washington, RCW 46.61.235, clearly states that the vehicle shall stop and remain stopped to allow a pedestrian or bicycle to cross the roadway within an unmarked or marked crosswalk when the pedestrian or bicycle is upon or within one lane of the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling or onto which it is turning.

We tried to have an emphasis on crosswalk violations during the month of February. Just when the deputies were getting involved, we had an incident at the jail which curtailed the emphasis, so we have no results to share. It is our intention to conduct sa imilar emphasis is the near future which will also include the use of a cell phone while driving.

So is it fair to make an effort to enforce the motoring laws of the state of Washington? My answer is: not only is it fair, but it is also a requirement of the Office of Sheriff to be fair and equal enforcing those laws. This means that whether you are a "local" or just someone passing through, you will be treated the same. The choice is yours to either obey the laws or suffer the consequences for your failure to do so.

The Columbia County Sheriff's Office takes public safety very seriously. All the motoring public needs to do is obey the posted speed limits and other laws of the state of Washington and they will not be "picked on" by the local law enforcement agency.

If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact me at: (509) 382- 2518.

Walt Hessler is Sheriff for Columbia County