Jon Johnson File Photo/Gila Herald
SPD awarded grant funding from the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety
Contributed Article/Courtesy SPD
SAFFORD – In an ongoing effort to reduce the number of drug and alcohol-impaired drivers on our streets and highways, the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety recently awarded the Safford Police Department $8,000 in DUI Enforcement Grant Funding. This funding is allotted for Officer 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.
In addition, the Safford Police Department also received $8,000 in Grant funding from AzGOHS for Selective Traffic Enforcement (STEP) overtime. Through STEP funding, officers can focus additional hours on speed, seat belts, aggressive driving, child safety restraints, and other traffic-related violations. Included in the STEP funding, the AZGOHS provided $6,331 for the purchase of speed-related equipment. This funding will be used to purchase two in-car speed radars with heat shields to protect the radars from the hot Arizona summers.
Along with DUI and Traffic Enforcement, the Safford Police Department will work with schools, community groups, and media to increase awareness of the risks and consequences unlawful driving creates.
Safford Police Chief Brian Avila expressed his appreciation for the grant awards.
“These grants are part of an ongoing cooperative effort that our department has enjoyed for nearly 20 years with the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety,” Chief Avila said. “Our agencies share a common goal to make our streets and highways safer for our motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians. We appreciate AZGOHS and Chief Executive Officer J.M. “Jesse” Torrez for once again providing the financial support that makes it possible to put additional officers on our streets and providing them with the equipment necessary for successful traffic enforcement.”
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, go to http://www.azgohs.gov/
