North Olympic Peninsula law enforcement agencies in Jefferson and Clallam counties will join others from across the state for the “Night of 1,000 Stars” patrols emphasizing drunken driving, speeding and other traffic violations.
Jefferson County will have extra patrols on Friday, while Clallam County will have them out both Friday and Saturday.
Now in its 16th year, the annual event focuses on promoting safe and sober driving during the holiday season.
The idea was created by the Clallam County DUI Task Force in 1991, said Jim Borte, DUI task force coordinator for the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office.
The “1,000 stars” refers to the badges worn by law enforcement personnel statewide who participate in the effort.
Extra police on road
Extra troopers, deputies and officers will conduct special enforcement patrols that focus on impaired driving, speeding, failure to wear seat belts and other traffic violations.
The special patrols are a cooperative effort of the participating law enforcement agencies, the Washington Traffic Safety Commission and the Community Target Zero Traffic Safety Task Forces of Washington State.
Locally, the participating law enforcement agencies include the State Patrol, Port Angeles Police Department, Port Townsend Police Department, Sequim Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and Clallam County Sheriff’s Office.
Six officers died
This year’s patrols are dedicated to the memory of six law enforcement officers who lost their lives this year while on duty in the state.
Four of the officers, killed Nov. 29 while they sat in a Parkland coffee shop, were remembered during a memorial service in Tacoma Tuesday that drew an estimated 20,000 mourners.
Those Lakewood officers are Sgt. Mark Renninger, and officers Tina Griswold, Ronald Owens and Greg Richards.
The other two are Lewis County Deputy Sheriff Stephen “Mike” Gallagher, who died Aug. 18, and Seattle Police Officer Timothy Brenton, who died Oct. 31.
The agencies are also involved in the “Drive Hammered, Get Nailed” campaign, which is being conducted through Jan. 2.
