Agenda Item Wording:
title
Authorization to Accept the OTS STEP Grant - Authorize the Visalia Police Department to accept the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) FY 2024-25 Grant in the amount of $200,000 awarded by the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), appropriate $50,000 from the General Fund and authorize the Chief of Police to execute the Grant Agreement.
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Deadline for Action: 10/7/2024
Submitting Department: Police Department
Contact Name and Phone Number:
Chief Jason Salazar, ext. 4215, jason.salazar@visalia.city <mailto:jason.salazar@visalia.city>;
Financial Analyst Liz Ybarra, ext. 4250, liz.ybarra@visalia.city <mailto:liz.ybarra@visalia.city>;
Lieutenant Celeste Sanchez, ext. 4573, celeste.sanchez@visalia.city <mailto:celeste.sanchez@visalia.city>;
Sergeant Henry Martinez, ext. 4232, henry.martinez@visalia.city <mailto:henry.martinez@visalia.city>
Department Recommendation:
Authorize the Visalia Police Department to accept the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) FY 2024-25 Grant in the amount of $200,000 awarded by the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), appropriate $50,000 from the General Fund and authorize the Chief of Police to execute the Grant Agreement. The Grant is effective 10/1/2024 - 9/30/2025.
Summary:
The Visalia Police Department has been awarded the STEP Grant for more than 10 years and has used the funds to enhance its traffic enforcement and educational efforts including, but not limited to: Driving Under the Influence (DUI) checkpoints and saturation patrols, distracted driver, motorcycle safety, pedestrian/bicycle enforcement operations, and several traffic educational presentations. The grant has also funded equipment and provided the resources necessary to effectively complete DUI enforcement details.
Background Discussion:
With various strategies, DUI enforcement is aggressively targeted through checkpoints, saturation details, traffic enforcement, distracted driver, motorcycle details and traffic safety education. The STEP Grant is dedicated to reducing the number of alcohol-related collisions, increase the number of DUI enforcement efforts, and raise public awareness regarding the dangers and consequences associated with drinking and driving. Operations are conducted in areas with disproportionate numbers of alcohol related traffic collisions.
In the 2020-21 Grant year, the Visalia Police Department recorded a total of 64 injuries from alcohol-related traffic collisions. In the subsequent 2021-22 Grant year, this number declined to 30 and in the 2022-23 Grant year there was an increase, with 42 injuries and two alcohol-related fatal traffic collisions.
For the 2023-24 Grant year, there were 56 injuries and 4 fatalities from alcohol related collisions. Compared to the 2022-23 Grant year, the Department saw a 33% increase in people injured from alcohol related collisions and a 100% increase in alcohol related fatal collisions.
For the 2024-25 Grant year, the STEP Grant will provide the Visalia Police Department funding for six DUI/DL Checkpoints, 13 DUI Saturation Details, 10 Traffic Enforcement Operations, four Distracted Driving Operations, four Motorcycle Safety Operations, three Pedestrian and Bicycle Enforcement Operations, one Traffic Safety Presentation, two Collaborative DUI Enforcement Operations, and two Collaborative Traffic Enforcement Operations. The Department also received funding for DUI Checkpoint Supplies and 10 mobile ticket printers for printing electronic citations during traffic stops. The collaborative DUI and Traffic Enforcement operations are to be worked with surrounding law enforcement agencies that receive funding from the Office of Traffic Safety. Collaborative efforts include agencies conducting coordinated enforcement details in their respective jurisdictions for a multi-agency or county wide enforcement.
The City of Visalia has seen a steady increase in the number of drivers and vehicles traveling within the city. This Grant will provide additional resources to aid the Department in enhancing enforcement and educational efforts to provide safer roadways.
Fiscal Impact:
The STEP Grant is budgeted annually and currently has a budget of $150,000 in the Traffic Division 2103. An additional $50,000 in appropriations is required. The General Fund will be reimbursed by the Grant.
Prior Council Action: N/A
Other: N/A
Alternatives: Not to authorize the Visalia Police Department to submit the STEP Grant application.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
Authorize the Visalia Police Department to accept the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) FY 2024-25 Grant in the amount of $200,000 awarded by the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), appropriate $50,000 from the General Fund and authorize the Chief of Police to execute the Grant Agreement.
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Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Attachments: Draft Grant Agreement.