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Committee hears enforcement update: school‑zone stops, covered‑loads and compression‑brake complaints
Summary
Police reported renewed enforcement after staffing increases: about 55 traffic stops and 12 citations near the high school, roughly 228 stops and 66 citations on the Parkway, two accidents near the high school and eight on the Parkway. Staff flagged state gaps on covered loads and said the city may consider a stricter local ordinance.
A staff member told the Snoqualmie Public Safety Committee that restored officer availability has allowed renewed focus on school‑zone enforcement and other traffic concerns.
For the first three months of the year the presenter reported roughly 55 traffic stops and 12 citations in the area around the high school and about 228 traffic stops with 66 citations along the Parkway. The staff member also said there were two accidents near the high school and eight accidents on the Parkway during that period.
On covered loads, staff explained state law allows material to be piled in a truck bed as long as it does not spill over the sides; officers can only stop vehicles when there is visible spillage, material dropping from the truck or dust blowing off the load. "So we may have to think about a city ordinance," the staff member said, noting a possible local standard could be more restrictive than state code.
Staff also described compression‑brake complaints and enforcement challenges: heavy engine noise going uphill is sometimes confused with illegal compression‑brake use, so the department is educating the public while continuing targeted enforcement when violations are observed. The committee was told a flashing school‑zone beacon on the northbound Parkway damaged during a snowstorm has been repaired and a flashing reader board near Fisher is operational again.
What’s next: Committee members asked staff to email a short summary of the April traffic‑dedicated officer pilot and enforcement numbers to the chair. No ordinance or formal policy change was adopted at the meeting; staff said it will return with further data or proposed language if the council requests that follow‑up.
