Eastside Police Plan DUI Patrols on New Year's Eve

On New Year’s Eve 2011,  troopers, police officers and King County Sheriff's deputies from several eastside law enforcement agencies will be conducting DUI patrols. The patrols will cover the cities of Kirkland, Bellevue, Redmond, Mercer Island, Issaquah, Clyde Hill, Medina and northeast King County, including Woodinville.  

Police ask that if your evening celebrations include alcohol, please plan ahead and have a designated driver, take a taxi or stay at the location where you celebrate. Police applaud the contributions of local businesses to the fight against drunk driving.  

After some very high profile fatality DUI crashes in Western Washington, safety should be the primary concern of all drivers on New Year’s Eve, says Kirkland Police Sgt. Lisa Brouelette.

“The Kirkland Police Department encourages all who will be celebrating the New Year this weekend to be responsible and plan for a safe ride home," she said. "Don’t start 2012 by being arrested for DUI.

Bellevue business Your Local Market is hosting the State Patrol’s Mobile Impaired Driving Unit. They are supplying a central location for processing of DUI drivers and power for the unit which will be manned by WSP Troopers.  CEO Jason Brown said, “We are happy to help and proud to be a good part of the community.”

l owners Ander Larson and Tim Short are providing free local transportation and discounted hotel rooms in downtown Redmond so their patrons who can enjoy the evening and not worry about driving home. Tim Short said, “We feel that providing them with complimentary transportation and discounted hotel rooms gives them little excuse to make bad decisions.” 

The law enforcement motto for New Year’s Eve is "Zero Tolerance to make it to Target Zero," or zero fatalities by 2030. For more information please visit www.targetzero.com.

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