Chief Bob Richardson: ‘Our goal, in partnership with the community, is to reduce collisions and the resulting human and economic cost’
In 2018, there were 458 reported vehicle collisions in the city of Battle Ground. We can all agree that is far too many. We can also agree to do something about it – individually, as a community, and as law enforcement.
Recently, the Battle Ground Police Department teamed up with Washington State Patrol (WSP) to conduct a traffic enforcement along SR-503 at Main and Eaton where data indicates a majority of these collisions occur. This kind of traffic enforcement is not possible without WSP because it takes resources and personnel that our department does not have – at least four officers and two motorcycles solely dedicated to the traffic enforcement at hand.
Our regular, on-duty patrol officers focus on the department’s highest priority – immediate response to 9-1-1 calls. In 2018, our officers responded to 6,902 calls. When available, they too conduct traffic enforcement, typically in neighborhoods where they can do so as an individual officer and be ready to respond elsewhere as needed.
Our Aug. 8, traffic enforcement with WSP received a great amount of support from the community. Thank you, we hope to continue these collaborative enforcements. In Battle Ground, requests for traffic enforcement is the most commonly requested police service and we need more resources to meet this need. Please continue to contact us with requests, we will respond to the best of our ability.
As Battle Ground grows, so do the challenges we face meeting public safety needs. We cannot improve, nor sustain current service levels without additional resources. I encourage you to learn more about annexation to Fire District 3. Annexing into the district, rather than the city contracting for fire/EMS services, means more revenue will be available for police services and sustained, excellent fire and emergency medical services. It is critical to protect emergency services in our community as it grows.
Our goal, in partnership with the community, is to reduce collisions and the resulting human and economic cost. You play an important role. Please, drive with intention. Driver inattention and distractions are the number 1 cause of collisions.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership.
Bob Richardson
Battle Ground Police Chief
Letter provided by city of Battle Ground.
