King County Street Racing Emphasis Nets Several Arrests

KING COUNTY, WA — A "racer" emphasis patrol involving Washington State Patrol and eight local police departments led to several arrests and pursuits over Labor Day weekend, according to WSP.

The joint operation's stated goal was to "address the ongoing issue of [vehicles] congregating to illegally block roadways and street race among other things," Trooper Rick Johnson wrote in a news release. Approximately 42 officers and troopers were involved, coming from police departments in Seattle, Renton, Tukwila, Federal Way, Kent, Algona, Auburn and Des Moines.

Troopers said the weekend included three pursuits and at least eight reckless driving arrests. Two more arrests were related to stolen vehicles.

WSP said an attempt by 100 vehicles to block State Route 167 was dispersed "in minutes."

"This type [of] activity creates dangerous conditions for the public whether it occurs on city streets, parking lots or the freeway system," Johnson wrote. "The outstanding efforts of all the allied agencies made it possible for no tragedies to occur over the weekend."

In addition to the arrests related to the emphasis operation, WSP said troopers also apprehended three dozen drivers for suspected impairment.