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District
5 Problem Oriented Public Safety
The State Patrol's
style of community policing is called Problem Oriented Public Safety,
or POPS. The foundation of POPS is based on a philosophy of taking the
concerns of the motoring public by addressing persistent problems. When
a problem is identified by a citizen, trooper, or anyone with a concern,
the POPS trooper works with other agencies and groups to develop the
best achievable solution to address the origin of the problem. Solutions
to various problems may range from simply educating the public to major
construction projects.
POPS Projects and Successes
- Rest Area
Enforcement Project
Troopers in District 5 responded to citizen concerns of threatening
and harmful activities occurring in the Gee Creek and Toutle Hill
rest areas. A Criminal Interdiction Patrol responded, addressing all
concerns. Multiple divisions within the Washington State Patrol participated.
Several arrests occurred for violations including prostitution and
selling undercover officers drugs. Many arrests involved persons from
out of state in travel status, including a male elementary school
teacher patronizing a male prostitute. Post-analysis of complaints
following application of the Criminal Interdiction Patrols show the
troopers' efforts are being successful in reducing the numbers of
complaints and fears by citizens in the rest areas.
- State Route
503
In March of 2002, residents of the North Clark County area (Battle
Ground, Amboy, Yacolt, Farger Lake, Chelatchie Prairie) met with officials
from the Washington State Patrol and the Washington State Department
of Transportation (WSDOT) regarding traffic problems in north Clark
County.
Residents
voiced complaints about dangerous speeding, bad passing, and general
aggressive driving during the morning and evening rush hours as well
as similar complaints about the summer weekend recreational traffic.
They did not feel the WSP was spending enough time enforcing traffic
laws in the area. They requested WSDOT consider engineering improvements
that would help improve driving conditions and reduce violations.
As a result,
the WSP stopped 971 violators from March through December 2002,
as compared to 185 violators during the same time period in 2001.
Based on surveys filled out by the community, after the enforcement
efforts had been in place for the ten-month period, there was a
26% reduction in the number of people who felt excessive speed was
a problem. There was a 42% decrease in the number of people who
felt the WSP did not spend enough time working the area and 83%
of those polled now feel the WSP will respond to their calls for
service.
This was
a classic example of how the WSP listens to it customers, responds
to their needs, and "makes a difference every day by providing
public safety services to everyone where they live, work, travel,
and play."
- Chain Enforcement
on White Pass
The project started in November 2002 and is a partnership with the
WSP Morton Detachment, Department of Transportation, and WSP Commercial
Vehicle Division. Together, they have set up a schedule to provide
maximum coverage during snow storms and establish a "zero tolerance"
policy toward chain-up violations. Already there has been a noticeable
decline in the number of large trucks stuck on the pass. As of date,
there have been no significant traffic delays on White Pass.
Contact the POPS District Coordinator or a POPS Trooper:
POPS Coordinator:
Sergeant Blair Schmidt
1823 Baker Way – Kelso WA 98626
Phone: (360) 578-4147 - Fax: (360) 577-2147
Trooper Chad Hoff (Aggressive Driving Apprehension Team)
850 NW Louisiana Ave - Chehalis WA 98532
Phone: (360) 748-6633 - Fax: (360) 748-2263
Trooper Jodie Blain
PO Box 105 - Goldendale WA 98620
Phone: (509) 773-3775 - Fax: (509) 773-3495
Trooper Mike Kesler (Aggressive Driving Apprehension Team)
11018 NE 51st Circle - Vancouver WA 98682-6686
Phone: (360) 260-6333 - Fax: (360) 449-7995
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