Eastside Police Departments Join Forces to Tackle Street Racing and Speeding

Four Washington police departments band together to enhance road safety for all

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Police departments on the east side of Lake Washington, including Bellevue, Kirkland, Issaquah, and Redmond, have formed the Eastside Safe Streets Task Force to combat the growing problem of street racing, reckless driving, and speeding in the region. The task force will allow the departments to share resources, communicate more effectively, and hold reckless drivers accountable, no matter which city they drive through.

Why it matters

Reckless driving incidents that begin in one city often spill over into neighboring jurisdictions, making it difficult for a single department to effectively address the issue. The formation of the Eastside Safe Streets Task Force aims to close this gap and enhance public safety across the region.

The details

The task force will allow the participating police departments to trade notes, share resources, and communicate more effectively to address reckless driving incidents that occur across city boundaries. This makes it much harder for drivers to evade law enforcement by simply crossing into another jurisdiction. The departments are also encouraging residents to report any instances of reckless driving, as public tips have proven invaluable in Bellevue's previous enforcement efforts.

  • The Eastside Safe Streets Task Force was formed in early 2026.

The players

Bellevue Police Department

One of the four police departments that have joined the Eastside Safe Streets Task Force to combat street racing and speeding in the region.

Kirkland Police Department

One of the four police departments that have joined the Eastside Safe Streets Task Force to combat street racing and speeding in the region.

Issaquah Police Department

One of the four police departments that have joined the Eastside Safe Streets Task Force to combat street racing and speeding in the region.

Redmond Police Department

One of the four police departments that have joined the Eastside Safe Streets Task Force to combat street racing and speeding in the region.

Drew Anderson

Spokesman for the Bellevue Police Department.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Drew Anderson, Bellevue Police Department spokesman (mynorthwest.com)

“Street racing and speeding incidents that occur in Bellevue don't just stay in Bellevue. They happen regionally. They occur all across the Eastside. 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.”

— Drew Anderson, Bellevue Police Department spokesman (mynorthwest.com)

“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.”

— Drew Anderson, Bellevue Police Department spokesman (mynorthwest.com)

“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.”

— Drew Anderson, Bellevue Police Department spokesman (mynorthwest.com)

What’s next

The task force is open-ended, and the participating police departments will continue to work together to address reckless driving incidents across the Eastside region.

The takeaway

The formation of the Eastside Safe Streets Task Force demonstrates the importance of regional cooperation and communication in tackling complex public safety issues like street racing and speeding. By sharing resources and intelligence, the participating police departments can more effectively hold reckless drivers accountable and enhance road safety for all.