4 local police departments band together to catch street racers, speeders
Feb 18, 2026, 6:07 PM | Updated: 6:08 pm
A Bellevue Police Department vehicle. (Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)
(Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)
Police departments on the east side of Lake Washington are working together to catch speeders, reckless drivers, and street racers. It is a problem with deadly consequences.
Four departments: Bellevue, Kirkland, Issaquah, and Redmond have formed the Eastside Safe Streets Task Force.
“If folks choose to drive recklessly in Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, or Issaquah and they jeopardize the safety of others, our officers will hold you accountable,” Bellevue Police Department (BPD) spokesman Drew Anderson said.
While the four cities don’t have the level of crime of Seattle, reckless driving is a big problem. BPD has long conducted successful reckless driving emphasis patrols. It’s an idea that led to the task force, and for good reason.
“Street racing and speeding incidents that occur in Bellevue don’t just stay in Bellevue. They happen regionally. They occur all across the Eastside,” Anderson said. “A horrific crash happened along Bel-Red. The reckless driving began in Bellevue, but the crash itself happened in Redmond. That shows why this task force is needed.”
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How the task force works
The task force is open-ended. Reckless drivers may get away from one department by driving into another city, but now police in the other city will already be looking for the driver. That makes getting away much more difficult.
“We are going to be trading notes, sharing resources, and just really communicating as much as we can to address this type of incident that occurs in our communities,” Anderson said.
Police also encourage residents and drivers to say something if they see something. Call it in. That’s exactly what’s made Bellevue’s emphasis patrols so successful.
“We can do what we do, keep an eye out for reckless drivers, but the help of the public is invaluable. And we appreciate each and every call because lives are at stake,” Anderson said.
If you see a reckless driver, don’t confront them. Drive to a safe location, pull over, and call police.
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