Sergeant Davis was appointed by WTSC as the Law Enforcement Liaison representative, responsible for developing a county-wide collaborative effort toward traffic safety. This position has a pivotal role for increasing traffic safety, which is accomplished through the awarding of grant overtime and equipment funds.

Traffic Officer Mark Brinkman continued to work as our nighttime DUI/DRE car. Officer Brinkman has been recognized nationally and locally for his excellent efforts in removing impaired drivers from our roadways.

Traffic officers participate in the Lynnwood University and the Citizen’s Academy. The unit officers also conducted presentations at a number of our local high schools, Edmonds Community College and Shoreline Community College. Traffic officers provide weekly child car seat inspections and installations for our citizens. The Traffic Section demonstrates great community support by assisting in traffic calming ribbon cutting events, local public motorcycle safety demonstrations, the Evergreen State Fair traffic safety booth, and the Marysville Strawberry Festival.

Every citizen who filed a traffic complaint received a phone call, letter, email or personal visit from a traffic officer or a unit supervisor. The radar speed warning trailers were deployed throughout the City to areas of concern that had pervasiveness for vehicles speeding. Every citizen request for the radar trailer was granted providing the area allowed for its safe deployment.

Traffic personnel attended specialized training programs in 2009. Motorcycle officers received their re-certifications in motor officer qualifications both at the WSP training facility in Shelton and locally during quarterly qualifications. Officers also hosted a motorcycle escort class, which consisted of 13 participating agencies from throughout the region.

The personnel assigned to the Traffic Section do not settle for less than excellence. They are seasoned officers and driven by motivation and self-reliance. Their mission focus has resulted in the lowest annual roadway collision count in the history of the Traffic Section.

Throughout 2009 officers were temporarily assigned as trainers in the areas of EVOC, Defensive Tactics (DT), Range, Drug Recognition Expert (DRE), Collision Investigation and Motorcycle Instructors. This teamwork and collaborative effort is not only required, but also essential to achieving the overall mission of the Department.

Education, engineering and enforcement are the three vehicles utilized in accomplishing the Traffic Section’s mission. In 2009, the unit’s enforcement efforts accounted for 12,321 Notice of Infractions (NOI), 424 Criminal Traffic Citations and 40 Criminal Non-Traffic Citations. The Traffic Section was also responsible for the review of photo generated red light and speed violations. This program yielded 30,974 reviews, which accounted for nearly 1,035 review (manpower) hours.

Grant Funding
The Traffic Section received approximately $88,000 in overtime grant funding for DUI, speeding, seatbelt and pedestrian enforcement. In addition, $7,000 was received in state and federal equipment grant funding for specialized equipment; traffic safety equipment such as LIDAR and RADAR speed measuring devices. Total grant funding received for 2009 was close to $95,000; a 23% increase in grant funding over the previous year. It should be noted that the Traffic Section has received increased grant funds over the past four years and has been awarded nearly $300,000 during this time frame.

The Traffic Section participated in a number of selected traffic enforcement emphases. These emphases were designed to target specific areas and specific traffic violations throughout the City. Enforcement efforts were on speed, aggressive driving, red light, pedestrian and other accident causing violations.