BACKGROUND:
Recognizing the needs of the community for additional traffic safety and enforcement opportunities, the Cathedral City Police Department applied to the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for a Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Grant. The purpose of the STEP Grant is to reduce the number of persons killed and injured in traffic collisions involving alcohol, drugs and other primary collision factors utilizing "best practice" enforcement and educational strategies.
DISCUSSION:
The OTS STEP Grant is a one-year grant funding opportunity, starting on October 1st, 2022 and ending on September 30th, 2023. The grant funding will cover personnel overtime costs to conduct safety and enforcement operations, including DUI saturation patrols, DUI checkpoint(s), form collaborative operations with neighboring police agencies and provide educational presentations. The program will concentrate on primary collision factors, distracted driving, seat belt enforcement, operations at intersections with disproportionate numbers of traffic collisions, and special enforcement operations encouraging pedestrian, bicycle and motorcycle safety. These strategies are designed to earn media attention thus will enhance the overall deterrent effect of impaired driving and collision-causing driving. The Department plans to conduct several operations during the course of the grant period in an effort to bring more attention to the issues of traffic safety within the community.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no financial impact to the General Fund. The Grant funding covers the overtime costs of the personnel involved in the various operations not to exceed $50,000 during the grant period.