HomeMy WebLinkAboutc7fy14-15grantapforofficeoftrafficFROM: Steve Gesell, Chief of Police
Prepared By: Melissa Ellsworth, Senior Administrative Analyst
SUBJECT: FY 2014-15 GRANT APPLICATION FOR OFFICE OF TRAFFIC SAFETY
SELECTIVE TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM
RECOMMENDATION
1. Authorize the Police Department to submit a grant application to the Office of Traffic Safety for
a FY 2014-15 Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) not to exceed $250,000.
2. If the grant is awarded, authorize the Chief of Police to execute all grant related documents and
authorize the appropriation of the grant amount.
DISCUSSION
The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) provides grant funding to agencies every year. These
programs are aimed at preventing deaths and injuries on our roadways through special enforcement
and public awareness efforts. Grant funding will aid in the City’s ongoing effort to improve traffic
safety and quality of life.
Specifically, the OTS Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grant will continue to provide
funding for the night time DUI police officer for the San Luis Obispo Police Department for FY
2014-15. Currently, the department is receiving funding through an existing OTS AVOID grant for
FY 2013-14 for this position which started on October 1, 2013.
Overview of Position
The grant funded position will be responsible for identifying areas where DUI incidents are
prevalent and perform enforcement activities in these areas for the specific purpose of reducing DUI
related incidents. Other patrol officers will still be expected to continue their own DUI enforcement
as part of their regular patrol function while allowing additional specific DUI enforcement to occur
by the DUI officer.
The night time DUI Officer’s duties include, but are not limited to:
1. Enforcement of DUI related laws.
2. Provide DUI related training at briefings.
3. Provide support to Patrol in specific DUI related cases.
4. Participate in community outreach activities which could include public speaking as to the
dangers of driving while intoxicated.
5. Track and maintain statistical data to meet the obligations of the grant and other
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Grant Application for OTS STEP Funding Page 2
departmental purposes.
Grant Application
The grant application is due on January 15, 2014. The following are a list of items the department
will be including in the request for funding:
1. Salary and Benefits (for a period of 12 months) for the night time DUI police officer.
2. Overtime to fund department participation in the following:
a. Two DUI Checkpoints
b. Twenty Saturation Patrols
c. Six Distracted Driving Enforcement Operations
d. Twelve Traffic Enforcement Operations
3. Travel costs for a DUI Training Course and ARIDE (Advanced Roadside Impaired
Driving Enforcement) Training
4. Equipment such as:
a. Radio console for existing DUI trailer.
b. LIDAR replacements for motorcycles. LIDAR is a remote sensing technology
used by traffic officers to enforce speed limits throughout the City.
c. Red Light Notification Devices, these are designed to assist traffic officers in
apprehending red light violators. The light is attached to the back of a signal
light and only becomes activated when the traffic light turns red. The officer
observing can gain a better perspective of the intersection and any motorist who
crosses the limit line after the light has turned red.
CONCURRENCES
The Director of Finance & Information Technology concurs with this recommendation.
FISCAL IMPACT
City matching funds are not required by the grant. Although grant funding is already secured for
FY 2013-14; funding in subsequent years will be requested through the grant application process on
an annual basis. Upon the conclusion of the grant, and if the department is not awarded grant
funding in the following fiscal years, it is anticipated that the position would be absorbed into the
department through attrition.
ALTERNATIVE
Council may direct staff not to submit an application. Staff does not recommend this alternative as
funding will aid in the City’s ongoing effort to improve traffic safety and quality of life. The grant
objectives are aimed at preventing deaths and injuries on our roadways through special enforcement
and public awareness efforts.
T:\Council Agenda Reports\2013\2013-12-10\FY 14-15 Grant Applicaion for Office of Traffic (Gesell-Ellsworth)\CAR OTS STEP Grant App 14-
15.docx
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