By Theresa Goffredo
Herald Writer
EVERETT — Everett police plan to begin immediately inspecting commercial vehicles such as construction rigs and semi-trucks hauling dirt through town as part of a new program to expand the number of inspections.
The new program has been in the works for a while and is not connected to the Sept. 11 terrorists attacks, police Capt. Mike Campbell said. It’s "sheer coincidence" that Everett City Council members approved the program Wednesday, he said.
But Campbell said inspecting commercial vehicles that pass through Everett will be "an additional tool at our disposal during this time of concern."
"We haven’t had a lot of commercial vehicles inspected in town. There’s been no enforcement until they get on Interstate 5," Campbell said. "Prior to Sept. 11, the public hasn’t taken much notice of those. Now, people are paying a little more attention, feeling more of an initiative to call in and report a concern, and now calling in a little bit more on commercial vehicles."
One specially trained Everett police officer will take on these inspections as part of his patrol duties. He can do inspections either during routine traffic stops or if he believes he has enough probable cause to inspect a truck, Campbell said.
Inspections won’t include hazardous materials trucks because the officer isn’t trained in that area, Campbell said.
"I’m hoping the public will be supportive, because we are helping to maintain the safety of the motoring public, both for the commercial public and the regular public who are traveling through the streets of the big city," Campbell said.
You can call Herald Writer Theresa Goffredo at 425-339-3097
or send e-mail to goffredo@heraldnet.com.
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