Sheriff’s Traffic Unit Issues A Flurry Of Speeding Tickets

About 200 drivers were slapped with speeding tickets this week during emphasis patrols near Spokane Valley schools.

The sheriff’s traffic unit caught speeders near high schools and elementary schools between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Speeders can’t say they didn’t get a warning.

In recent weeks, community policing groups armed with radar guns and electronic reader boards have worked the Valley’s 20 mph school zones to show drivers how fast they were going. Speeders received warning letters in the mail.

That was part of informing and educating the community, said Sgt. Jim Finke, traffic unit supervisor.

“Now we’re doing the enforcement,” said Finke.

Deputies also checked to see if motorists were wearing seat belts.

Emphasis patrols, usually held twice a year, will likely increase to once every four months, Finke said.

“Things are getting out of hand,” he said. “People are driving way too fast. They’re not paying attention to the school zones.”

Finke, a Spokane County deputy for 21 years, said, “I’ve seen a deterioration in the consciousness of drivers in Spokane. They don’t allow people to get into traffic, they block off intersections.

“Somehow, we would like to see it get back to a better attitude of driving.”