Agenda Item Wording:
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Authorization to apply for the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program Grant - Authorize the Visalia Police Department to apply for the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program for Fiscal Year 2026-27 Grant for an estimated amount of $230,000 and submit the application by the 1/31/2026 deadline.
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Prepared by: Police Chief, Jason Salazar, (559) 713-4215, Jason.Salazar@visalia.gov; Financial Analyst, Liz Ybarra, (559) 713-4250, Liz.Ybarra@visalia.gov; Lieutenant Mike Short, (5590 713-4573, Mike.Short@visalia.gov; Sergeant Henry Martinez, (559) 713-4232, Henry.Martinez@visalia.gov
Department Recommendation: Authorize the Visalia Police Department to apply for The Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) FY 2026-27 Grant for an estimated amount of $230,000 and submit the application by the 1/30/2026 deadline. The grant is effective from 10/1/2026 to 9/30/2027.
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 educational presentations. The grant has also funded equipment and provided the resources necessary to effectively complete Driving Under the Influence (DUI) enforcement details.
Background Discussion:
With various strategies, traffic safety and DUI enforcement are aggressively targeted through checkpoints, saturation details, traffic enforcement, distracted driving operations, motorcycle details, and traffic safety education. The goal of the STEP Grant is to provide support and funding to reduce the number of persons killed or injured in traffic collisions, decrease alcohol-related collisions, increase DUI enforcement efforts, and raise public awareness about the dangers and consequences of drinking and driving. Operations are conducted in area...
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