Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Olympia City Council approved a resolution authorizing an agreement with the Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC) to participate in the Target Zero High Visibility Enforcement Program, a statewide initiative aimed at reducing traffic fatalities and serious injuries.
The agreement comes as the state of Washington continues to see a rise in traffic-related deaths.
According to WTSC, 2023 was the deadliest year on record for traffic fatalities since 1990. That prompted the state agency to expand enforcement of the Target Zero program.
As part of the effort, WTSC awarded a federal grant to support law enforcement agencies in Region 4, which covers Thurston County, in conducting targeted safety patrols.
Under the agreement, the Olympia Police Department (OPD) is going to carry out high-visibility traffic enforcement focused on behaviors that contribute to serious crashes and fatalities, including impaired driving, distracted driving, speeding, seat belt violations and motorcycle safety.
Additionally, the department is going to coordinate enforcement activities with the Region 4 Target Zero Task Force, under the oversight of the Target Zero Manager and Law Enforcement Liaison.
The OPD is also going to track and document its enforcement efforts to meet grant requirements, and will be eligible to seek reimbursement from the WTSC for approved officer straight time or overtime associated with those traffic safety patrols.
As a condition of the grant, OPD officers are participating in several required national enforcement campaigns, including:
The WTSC, which administers the Target Zero grant on behalf of the state and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, is responsible for providing funding, overseeing programs and coordinating the regional Target Zero Task Force, as well as setting participation requirements for statewide and national traffic safety campaigns.
Through the agreement, agencies in Region 4 have access to up to $20,000 in total funding under the 2026 High Visibility Enforcement grant.
The resolution was approved as part of the city council’s consent agenda at a meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 16.
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NickH86
Why does there need to be an agreement between two organizations for OPD to what they should be doing anyway? Isn’t that like, you know, a requirement of the police department? Or has Olympia City Council castrated the police department so much it now has to ask permission to do its job?
Tuesday, December 30, 2025 Report this
JoeP83
Yes Nick, these are things officers normally do.
No Nick, the council isn't limiting the officers. Participation in these campaigns that allow access to the grants means overtime the city wouldn't otherwise be able to afford. It's a budget/manpower issue.
Wednesday, December 31, 2025 Report this