Washington State Patrol plans emphasis patrol around Gorge Amphitheater

Key points: 

1. Washington State Patrol will conduct emphasis patrols during the Beyond Wonderland concert this weekend. 
2. More “HiVE” patrols planned in summer 2025.

QUINCY — The Washington State Patrol will be conducting additional patrols in the area around the Gorge Amphitheater this weekend, the first of a number of “High Visibility Enforcement” patrols scheduled over the summer. Jeremy Weber, WSP District 6 public information officer, said the goal is to ensure people get where they’re going and back home without incident. 

“The overall message is, if you come to the area, we want people to be safe,” Weber said. 

Troopers will be patrolling the area around the Gorge during the Beyond Wonderland electronic dance music festival. The WSP’s “Aggressive Driving Apprehension Team” will be out on the road in unmarked vehicles along with the marked WSP vehicles, according to a WSP press release.  

Weber said the WSP will be focusing on driving behavior – looking for people driving under the influence, using electronic devices or not wearing seatbelts.  

“Our goal is to put more cars on the shoulders (of the road),” Weber said.  

The WSP used similar patrols in 2024 but is reducing the frequency to increase the number of officers available, Weber said. One is planned for the Watershed Music Festival in August. 

Weber said the WSP is asking people to plan ahead if they intend to consume intoxicating substances.  

“(Do some) forward thinking on how they plan to get home,” he said. 

The WSP will be focusing on Interstate 90 and State Route 281, the main highways leading to the Gorge, Weber said. But WSP will be among the law enforcement officers on Silica Road Northwest and Road 1 Northwest, the campground access roads. Impaired and aggressive drivers, Weber said, will be areas of focus.  

“We will find those people and we will arrest them,” Weber said.