tonya
DATE: SEPTEMBER 20, 2022
DEPARTMENT: SALINAS POLICE DEPARTMENT
FROM: ROBERTO FILICE, CHIEF OF POLICE
BY: TONYA ERICKSON, POLICE SERVICES ADMINISTRATOR
TITLE: CALIFORNIA OFFICE OF TRAFFIC SAFETY GRANT FOR
THE SELECTIVE TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
A motion to approve a Resolution accepting the 2023 California Office of Traffic Safety grant for the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) and authorize the execution of all grant acceptance documents.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council approve a Resolution accepting the 2023 California Office of Traffic Safety grant in the amount of $160,000.00 for the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) and authorize the execution of all grant acceptance documents.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The 2023 California Office of Traffic Safety grant for the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) will provide much needed funds in the amount of $160,000.00. These funds will be used to support targeted traffic enforcement and education to reduce the number of people killed and injured in traffic collisions, both alcohol-related and non-alcohol related. This grant will be used to fund police officer overtime for several types of traffic safety-related enforcement operations, to provide education to police officers to make them more effective traffic enforcers, and to provide education to the public to make them safer drivers and pedestrians.
BACKGROUND:
Annually the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) makes funds available to local agencies to further their traffic enforcement and education efforts. The Salinas Police Department (SPD) applied for and is tentatively awarded OTS grant funding in the amount of $160,000.00 to aid in its efforts to reduce the number of people killed and injured in traffic collisions, both alcohol-related and non-alcohol related. SPD had received OTS grant funding for the last 9 years to support DUI and traffic enforcement through the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP).
This STEP grant will target problems that include speed violations, distracted driving, red-light violations, pedestrian/vehicle right-of-way violations, and enforcement at locations with a high instance of collisions and injuries. The grant will also provide funding for DUI saturation patrols, Distracted Driving patrols, and Sobriety Checkpoints.
The grant funds will enable SPD to employ “best practice strategies” on an overtime basis. To further deter serious traffic collisions, injuries and fatalities, the Police Department will use the grant funds to conduct traffic enforcement operations targeting distracted drivers and other violations that have shown to be the proximate cause of collisions in Salinas. The Police Department will also use the grant funds as reimbursement for training and travel expenses associated with the Department’s traffic enforcement efforts.
The grant period runs from October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023.
CEQA CONSIDERATION:
Not a Project. The City of Salinas has determined that the proposed action is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (CEQA Guidelines Section 15378).
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
Approving the proposed Resolution is consistent with the City Council’s goal of Public Safety.
DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION:
The Police Department will work with the Legal Department during approval, and with the Finance Department during implementation.
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
Proposed funding from the 2023 Office of Traffic Safety is $160,000.00, all of which will be used to support the Salinas Police Department’s efforts to reduce the number of traffic collisions and fatalities. No matching funds are required from the City of Salinas to receive the grant funds.
No impact to the City’s General Fund is anticipated with the recommended actions.
ATTACHMENTS:
2023 OTS-STEP Council Resolution
2023 OTS-STEP Draft Grant Agreement
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