The ‘fast and the dangerous’ seeing more blue, flashing lights

Published 9:00 pm Saturday, May 11, 2002

By Katherine Schiffner

Herald Writer

SNOHOMISH — A 1966 Chevy Chevelle breaks the calm of a rural road covered in darkness. The car stops, turns around, then accelerates quickly, zooming through the blackness with its engine rumbling.

But it doesn’t get far.

Snohomish County Sheriff’s Deputy Joe Goffin pulls over the Chevelle, plus the car in front of it. A third car pulls in behind them.

The drivers deny that they did anything wrong and manage to avoid getting tickets.

But later, out of the deputy’s earshot, one of the drivers admits the deputy interrupted a street race.

"We were just going to go down here, get one (race) off and go home," said Chevelle owner Brian McDonald, 29, of Marysville.

Goffin was part of the county’s first street racing emphasis patrol Friday night, joining officers from Monroe, Lake Stevens, Snohomish, Sultan and the Washington State Patrol and state Liquor Control Board in an effort to stop races they call "the fast and the dangerous."

Street racing, which increased in popularity after the 2001 release of the movie "The Fast and the Furious," risks the safety of people on the road, said State Patrol Trooper Lance Ramsay, who organized Friday’s patrol. The goal is to eliminate street racing by next year, he said.

"We can do it, and we want to do it, because we don’t want any more fatal (crashes)," he told the officers gathered at the Monroe police station Friday to learn about street racing.

Ramsay said racers have avoided Everett since the city adopted an anti-street racing ordinance in January.

"They’re gone from Everett and they’re moving out here (to east Snohomish County, I-5 and Highway 529)," Ramsay said.

Everett Police Department Lt. Butch Braley said Friday that officers have not caught anyone at an illegal street race since the ordinance went into effect.

It can be difficult to catch street racers, who use cell phones, scanners and radios to avoid authorities, police said. Some racers, with modified cars able to reach top speeds, also won’t stop for police.

But at Friday’s patrol, "where we have a lot of cops doing this, the chances of getting them is a lot better," Goffin said.

Officers stopped 39 people Friday night, citing one with reckless driving and writing 14 speeding tickets, plus issuing other traffic violations, said sheriff’s office spokeswoman Jan Jorgensen.

But the three drivers who Goffin stopped in the 8100 block of Lowell-Snohomish River Road didn’t get tickets, to their relief.

"There was no question in my mind that they were racing, but there was not enough (evidence) to prove it in court," Goffin explained.

McDonald, the driver of the Chevelle, and his 31-year-old friend from Seattle following him in a 1965 Pontiac, griped about the increased attention street racing is getting from law enforcement. They blame a younger crowd of racers for spoiling their fun.

"Ever since the imports got involved, it’s ruined it for everybody," said McDonald, who has raced for 10 years. "They’re just into partying and driving reckless."

McDonald, who had his wife and another friend in his car, said he drives responsibly to and from a race. He said he owns two race cars and does most of his racing on the track, but the nice weather and his visiting friend prompted them to test their cars on the open road.

Lowell-Snohomish River Road is tempting because of its remote location, gentle curves and new asphalt.

Goffin said he hopes the three drivers he stopped will think twice about racing in the county, knowing that if they do, officers will be watching for them. More street racing emphasis patrols are planned for this summer.

"Hopefully, this will make a difference," Goffin said.

You can call Herald Writer Katherine Schiffner at 425-339-3436 or send e-mail to schiffner@heraldnet.com.