Watch Your Speed Yakima Officers Watching Your Driving

If you don't speed and follow all traffic laws it's likely you haven't been stopped by a Yakima Police Officer during the ongoing emphasis patrol in the city. During the past 6 months Yakima police have made more than 4,000 traffic stops and issued more than 2,000 citations and the emphasis patrols continue.

The number of drivers stopped and collisions investigated has remained steady

Every Tuesday the department posts it's traffic emphasis numbers on social media. The latest numbers show during the week of January 15 through January 21 Yakima Police Officers made a total of 735 traffic stops. The Officers issued 370 citations to drivers and also investigated 27 collisions with 13 of the collisions the result of the driver not stopping for a red light. 14 drivers were also arrested for DUI. Those numbers aren't much different than the numbers recorded for January 8 through 14. During that week Yakima Officers made a total of 809 traffic stops and issued 402 citations. Officers also investigated 28 collisions, 12 the result of drivers not stopping for a red light. 8 drivers were also arrested for DUI.

The patrols started last year which was a deadly time in the city

What's the reason for the ongoing patrols? Last year was a deadly year in the city of Yakima and the Chief of Yakima Police wanted action taken. Late last year Police Chief, Matthew Murray wrote a letter to the community in which he says "the culture of anything goes on Yakima streets must change."
More than 20 fatality crashes were reported last year within city limits and numerous serious injury crashes involving vehicles and motorcycles.