City Council
MEETING DATE: 7/22/2015
TITLE:
Title
2015-2016 California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Grant
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FROM:
George Crum, Police Chief
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends the City Council accept the California Office of Traffic Safety Selective Traffic Enforcement Program Grant in the amount of $94,096.00.
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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 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, 2015 and ending on September 30th, 2016. The grant funding will cover personnel overtime costs to conduct various safety and enforcement operations, including DUI saturation patrols, warrant service operations, stakeout operations, a "Hot Sheet" Program, educational presentations, and court stings. 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 motorcycle safety. These strategies are designed to earn media attention thus enhancing the overall deterrent effect. The Department plans to conduct approximately 54 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 $94,096.00 during the grant period.
ATTACHMENTS:
OTS STEP Grant (PT1655)