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Sunday, October 9, 2011

OH: The latest state to use NHTSA $$ for safety stops

OFF THE WIRE
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Police, sheriff awarded grants to improve roadway safety

Several local agencies receive funds from government.
By Mark McGregor, Staff Writer
October 6, 2011 SPRINGFIELD — Multiple agencies received more than $297,000 in federal traffic safety grants that were awarded locally to improve safety on area roadways.
Springfield police received $38,739.60 and the Clark County Sheriff’s Office received $45,561.56 from the Ohio Department of Public Safety to reduce crashes in fiscal year 2012. They can do it through enforcing priority areas such as speed, seat belts, impaired driving and motorcycle safety during overtime hours.
Also receiving grants were the Enon, German Twp., South Charleston, Tremont City and North Hampton police departments and Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Crash data from Springfield shows that 5,496 crashes related to speed and impaired drivers, among others, caused 1,532 injuries and eight fatalities from 2008-10. Those numbers declined each of those years, Lt. Tom Zawada said.
“Our main goal is to create visibility and to cut down on speed and reckless operations,” Zawada said of the grant.
The police and sheriff deputies will use the funds during national blitzes like the Click It or Ticket campaign near the Memorial Day holiday and the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign near Labor Day, as well as localized blitzes during Super Bowl weekend, St. Patrick’s Day and others.
The Clark County Combined Health District also received a $213,432.88 grant to support the Safe Communities Coalition that allows the agency to work with the community on traffic safety issues facing youth and seniors.
The grants are awarded annually by the state’s Office of Criminal Justice Services, based on applications submitted by law enforcement agencies. They are awarded to projects that will have the greatest impact on reducing fatal crashes or significantly improving traffic safety systems.
“Extra patrols are not only conducting traffic stops but serving warrants and getting guns and drugs off the streets,” said Sheriff Gene Kelly. “High visibility means a reduction in crime and positively impacting neighborhoods.”
Funds are passed through the state agency from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.