Staff Report
City Council
Item No. {{section.number}}.F
Meeting Date: October 23, 2024
From: George Crum, Chief of Police
Title: Acceptance of California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) Selective Traffic Enforcement Program Grant
RECOMMENDATION:
To accept the California Office of Traffic Safety Selective Traffic Enforcement Program Grant in the amount of $55,000.
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, beginning October 1st, 2024, and ending on September 30th, 2025. 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 and bicycle safety. These strategies are designed to earn media attention thus will enhance the overall deterrent effect of the operations. The Department plans to conduct several operations during the grant period to bring more attention to the issues of traffic safety within the community.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Grant funding covers the overtime costs of the personnel involved in the various operations not to exceed $55,000 during the grant period. Request revenue and expenditure budget adjustment for Fund 247, project G0XXXX.
FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN:
Goal E – Cathedral City is safe for all who live, work, visit and play in our community.
Action E-10: Implement community engagement and public education initiatives to increase awareness regarding public safety programs, services, and results of proactive community policing efforts.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. State of California - Office of Traffic Safety Grant Agreement