Speeders beware – the Gilroy Police Department has secured some extra grant funding, and the money will be put towards nipping traffic violators in the tail lights.
The GPD recently hired four new traffic safety officers, two of who are paid for through approximately $1.2 million in federal grant money and a $200,000 California of Office Traffic Safety grant, according to GPD Sgt. Chad Gallacinao.
The four new officers will be specially tasked to improving traffic safety within the community and around local schools, he said.
The grant monies will also be allotted to purchasing new traffic-related equipment, along with beefing up special saturation deployments. Gallacinao explained this means assigning extra units to DUI checkpoints and school campus patrols.
Currently, grant funding also maintains radar trailers that allow the GPD to place the mobile speed checkers almost anywhere in the city. These trailers are available for deployment in areas that need them, and can serve the following purposes:
– To help identify locations which may have a high amount of speed-related violations.
– To help increase drivers’ speed awareness.
– To help deter unsafe speed.
– To help reduce vehicle code violations that may contribute to traffic collisions.
– To be used as a message board within the community.
Gallacinao said the GPD would like to get more input from locals, which will enable law enforcement officers to provide the most comprehensive traffic safety possible. Community members are encouraged to contact the GPD to request deployment of a radar trailer in their neighborhood. Currently two are available. Interested parties may call Community Services Officer Gary Muroaka at (408) 846-0320.
Â
