Agenda Item Wording:
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Traffic Grant Authorization: Authorize the Visalia Police Department to apply for the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) for FY 2024-25 Grant for an estimated amount of $200,000 and submit the application by the 1/31/2024 deadline.
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Deadline for Action: 12/18/2023
Submitting Department: Police Department
Contact Name and Phone Number:
Police 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 apply for the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) FY 2024-25 Grant for an estimated amount of $200,000 and submit the application by 1/30/2024. The Grant is effective from 10/1/2024 to 9/30/2025.
Summary:
The 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: DUI checkpoints and saturation patrols, distracted driver, motorcycle safety, pedestrian/bicycle enforcement operations, and several traffic education presentations. The grant has also funded equipment and provided the resources necessary to effectively complete Driving Under the Influence (DUI) enforcement details.
Background Discussion:
Utilizing various strategies, DUI enforcement is aggressively targeted through checkpoints, saturation details, traffic enforcement, distracted driver, motorcycle details and traffic safety education. The grant is dedicated to reducing the number of alcohol-related collisions, increasing the number of DUI enforcement efforts, and raising 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 department recorded a total of 64 injuries from alcohol-related traffic collisions. In the subsequent grant year of 2021-22, this number declined to 30. However, in the most recent grant year of 2022-23, there was a slight increase, resulting in 42 injuries and two alcohol-related fatal traffic collisions.
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 Grant budget can consist of staff overtime, equipment, and supplies. Staff will go back to the Council when the grant is awarded.
Prior Council Action: N/A
Other: N/A
Alternatives: Not to authorize the Visalia Police Department to submit the grant application.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
Authorize the Visalia Police Department to apply for the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) FY 2024-25 Grant for an estimated amount $200,000 and submit the application by 1/30/2024.
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Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Attachments: None.