Safford Police Department Receives Highway Safety Grant

The Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety recently awarded the Safford Police Dapartment $26,011.00 in funding that will greatly assist Safford officers in their ongoing efforts to reduce the number of traffic violators and drug & alcohol-impaired drivers from our streets and highways. The police department has allocated $10,000 of the grant to officer DUI overtime and will be used during Eastern Arizona DUI Task Force and Departmental Enforcement details geared to target those driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.

The amount of $10,000 was also awarded for officer overtime for the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP). Through STEP funding, officers are able to focus additional hours on speed, seat belt, aggressive driving, child safety restraint and other traffic related violations. The remaining $6011 – also part of the STEP funding – will provide officers with new handheld radars and one 2-digit speed display sign.

In addition to DUI and Traffic Enforcement, the Safford Police Department will be working with schools, community groups and media to increase awareness of the risks and consequences unlawful driving creates.

Safford Police Chief, Joe Brugman, expressed his appreciation to Alberto Gutier, Director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, by stating, “Without the continuing support of Director Gutier and the AZGOHS team, the Safford Police Department and many other law enforcement agencies across the state would not have the overtime dollars needed to combat the ongoing concerns of those driving under the influence and other problematic drivers. With overtime funding, agencies like ours can place additional officers on the streets and highways during holidays, city events and activities when there is an increase in traffic numbers. Additionally, grant funding enables our department to purchase traffic-related equipment imperative to our enforcement efforts. The ongoing support we receive from Director Gutier is invaluable and appreciated.”

The Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) is the focal point for highway safety issues in Arizona. GOHS is a cabinet agency that provides leadership by developing, promoting, and coordinating programs; influencing public and private policy; and increasing public awareness of highway safety. For more information on AZGOHS, visit http://www.azgohs.gov.

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