Police doubled traffic stops in this Pierce County city early this year
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- Gig Harbor police doubled traffic stops Jan. 1-Feb. 2, compared to that period last year.
- Police tied increased enforcement to full staffing, complaints, and proactive patrols.
- Speed signs collect data for city planning and research.
Drivers better slow down in Gig Harbor, based on the traffic stops police conducted in the city earlier this year.
From Jan. 1 to Feb. 2, Gig Harbor police officers conducted 405 traffic stops — over double the number of traffic stops they made over the same period last year, according to a city newsletter last month. Officers conducted 180 stops from Jan. 1 to Feb. 2 in 2025.
“Traffic safety continues to be one of the most consistent concerns we hear from our community, and we want residents to know we are listening and taking action,” City Administrator Katrina Knutson wrote in the newsletter Feb. 6.
Asked if the police department expects to continue making traffic stops at levels significantly up from last year, Gig Harbor Police Chief Tray Federici wrote in an email this month that the department’s “focus isn’t on reaching a specific number or level of traffic stops.”
“Our officers conduct traffic enforcement in response to behaviors that create safety risks,” he wrote. “The goal is improving roadway safety and reducing roadway crashes, not achieving a particular enforcement total.”
He also responded to other questions about the department’s approach to traffic enforcement.
What is driving the increased enforcement activity/traffic stops in Gig Harbor?
“Traffic enforcement in Gig Harbor is driven by several factors, all centered on roadway safety and community concerns. First and foremost, the Gig Harbor Police Department’s goal is to promote safer roadways and encourage responsible driving behavior throughout the community.
Like most law enforcement agencies, we closely monitor traffic-related concerns reported by residents. When we receive complaints about speeding, dangerous driving, or other safety issues in specific areas, we often respond with directed traffic patrols to address those concerns and improve compliance.
Additionally, after many years of operating with vacancies during a very competitive law enforcement hiring environment, the Gig Harbor Police Department has recently returned to full staffing. With a full complement of officers, we are better positioned to balance responding to calls for service while also dedicating time to proactive efforts such as traffic enforcement, which plays an important role in overall public safety.”
What are particular hot spots for traffic violations or the most common types of violations that GHPD is currently seeing?
“While we do receive a higher number of traffic-related complaints in certain areas of the city, such as Soundview Drive, Peacock Hill Drive, Stinson Avenue, Harborview Drive, and North Harborview Drive, our officers conduct enforcement throughout the community to ensure services are applied fairly and consistently across Gig Harbor. Traffic enforcement efforts are not limited to any single location and are adjusted based on observed driving behavior, community concerns, and overall roadway safety needs.
The most common violations our officers encounter tend to include speeding, violations of Washington’s distracted driving law, and other routine moving violations such as failure to obey traffic control devices or unsafe driving behaviors. In all cases, our goal is not only enforcement but also education, helping drivers understand the importance of safe driving practices while ensuring compliance with Washington State traffic laws.”
How does the police department measure the effectiveness of traffic enforcement efforts?
“That’s an important question, and one that is sometimes misunderstood. The number of citations issued by itself is not the primary measure of success for traffic enforcement. While citation data is tracked, the broader goal is improving roadway safety and influencing driver behavior.
Traffic enforcement is best viewed as a risk-reduction strategy rather than a productivity measure. The objective is not simply to issue more tickets, but to encourage safer driving habits and reduce the likelihood of collisions or dangerous behavior on our roadways.
To evaluate effectiveness, the department looks at several indicators, including trends in traffic complaints from residents, observed driving behavior in areas where enforcement has occurred, and overall traffic safety outcomes such as collision patterns. Over time, the goal is to see improved compliance with traffic laws and safer driving throughout the community.”
How do the city’s speeding signs work? Do they collect data, and if so, where does that data go?
“Gig Harbor has used digital speed reminder signs for a number of years. What is new is the next generation of these signs, installed through a partnership between the Gig Harbor Police Department and the City’s Public Works Department.
The updated signs are designed to be more visible and reliable. They feature brighter LED displays that show drivers their current speed and can activate additional visual alerts when a vehicle is traveling above the posted speed limit, including flashing blue and red lights. These features are intended to draw attention to the sign and provide immediate feedback to drivers, encouraging voluntary compliance with posted speed limits.
The newer units also improve reliability and maintenance. Unlike some earlier models that required periodic removal for battery charging, the updated signs are powered either through solar support or hardwired power where infrastructure is available.
These signs are equipped with the ability to collect general traffic data, such as vehicle speeds and traffic volume. That information is shared internally with relevant city departments and is used to support traffic engineering analysis, planning efforts, speed studies, and to help guide where traffic safety education or enforcement efforts may be most beneficial. The signs serve as a traffic safety and awareness tool rather than an enforcement device.”
What are the police department’s plans for speeding enforcement going forward?
“The Gig Harbor Police Department will continue to approach traffic enforcement with a focus on roadway safety, education, and responsible driving behavior. Our efforts will remain balanced between responding to calls for service and conducting proactive patrols in areas where community concerns or traffic patterns indicate a need for additional attention.
Moving forward, we expect to continue using a combination of tools to address speeding, including directed patrols, traffic safety education, and engineering partnerships with the City’s Public Works Department. Resources such as digital speed reminder signs, traffic data analysis, and resident feedback help inform where enforcement and safety messaging may be most effective.
As with all of our public safety efforts, the goal is not simply enforcement for its own sake, but to change driving behaviors, encourage voluntary compliance with traffic laws, and maintain safe roadways for residents, visitors, and everyone traveling through Gig Harbor.”
This story was originally published March 18, 2026 at 5:00 AM.
