Emphasis patrols net six drunken-driving arrests

YAKIMA — A half-dozen drunken-driving suspects were arrested Wednesday night in Yakima and Klickitat counties.

Extra officers were out as part of an effort to look for St. Patrick’s Day celebrants who had too much to drink before hitting the road.

The 10 officers assigned to the emphasis patrol issued 52 citations and contacted 111 motorists, according to a news release from Yakima County’s Target Zero Task Force. Eleven drivers were cited for having a suspended license.

Target Zero is a statewide effort to eliminate traffic fatalities.

Overtime for the officers, who totaled 55 man-hours on the emphasis patrol, is paid through the Washington State Traffic Safety Commission.

Participating agencies were the Grandview, Moxee, Sunnyside, Union Gap, Wapato, Yakima and Goldendale police departments, Yakima County and Klickitat County sheriff’s offices and the Washington State Patrol.