Grant to help with traffic campaign costs

FARMINGTON -- The Police Department will get reimbursed for overtime costs this year while participating in various traffic campaigns to make sure people are driving safely.

The department was approved for the first time for a STEP grant, which stands for Special Traffic Enforcement Program, a federal program through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Desk Sgt. Michael Thompson said the department hasn't had enough patrol officers in the past to apply for a grant. The department can only be reimbursed if an officer is just working the traffic campaign, not if the officer is working patrol at the same time.

The department recently finished the Click It or Ticket campaign to bring awareness to the importance of following the law and wearing a seat belt.

The next campaign will be June 26-July 5, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over. For July 13-19, the campaign focuses on speed prevention, and then another driving while intoxicated campaign will be held Aug. 21--Sept. 7 over the Labor Day holiday.

One officer at a time will be assigned to the special traffic campaign, and this will be outside the officer's normal patrol shift. The city's overtime costs for the campaigns will be reimbursed up to a total amount.

Desk Sgt. Billie Virgin said the department estimated its overtime costs would be around $10,000.

Lynn Kutter may be reached by email at [email protected]

Upcoming Events