Ocean Shores public-safety officials ramp up Fourth of July staffing, cite jump in traffic enforcement

Ocean Shores public-safety officials told the city’s Public Safety Committee on May 19 they are stepping up staffing and coordination for Fourth of July events and holiday-period patrols.

A police department representative, reporting the April statistics posted to the city website, clarified that percentage changes were compared to the same period last year rather than month-to-month and said proactive traffic enforcement is up 160% year over year. “We’re up 160% compared to this time last year in traffic enforcement, citations issued. I’m happy about that,” the police department representative said, adding the department was at about 63 citations issued at the mid-May point and roughly 40 verbal warnings.

The same official said an eligible entry-level recruit remains in the hiring pipeline and could be interviewed by the chief; if not, the department will re-advertise the position.

Fire and emergency medical services reported rising call volumes and additional resources. A fire department representative said crews logged 233 calls between April 19 and the meeting date, including 80 transports, about 23 lift assists and 25 falls in the monthlong window. The fire representative said the department currently has two firefighter–paramedic vacancies and has scheduled testing with human resources to fill them.

The fire department also described an $8,000 grant from the state Department of Natural Resources to support wildland-urban interface prevention; the grant funded two 20-yard dumpsters that will be available during the city’s green-waste disposal days in mid-June to encourage residents to remove flammable yard material. The fire representative said the department expects heavier staffing during the July 3–4 period and typically hires 15–20 outside firefighters for the holiday; internal staff will run additional beach and brush patrols.

Officials said the city requested additional county and Washington State Patrol help for the holiday. The police representative said commitments from the county and state patrol were made at a county chiefs meeting and suggested those agencies join planning sessions to improve interagency coordination.

Committee members lauded a local volunteer rehab and medical support team that assisted during live-fire training and discussed next steps to maintain local training capacity; the fire representative said the city is exploring taking over a regional academy to host more training locally.

The meeting also confirmed a recent Damon Island response: responders reached stranded people by phone and coordinated a water rescue; officials warned the public that the island can become hazardous because the tide comes in quickly.

The committee set its next meeting for June 16 at 5 p.m. at the Ocean Shores Library.