El Centro Police Department receives $50K grant to increase safety

The El Centro Department will use their grant to continue to keep the community safe

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - In a press release, the El Centro Police Department (ECPD) was awarded a $50,000 grant and will use it to increase safety on roads.

ECPD says they will increase patrols throughout the community and provide other traffic safety programs to help reduce the number of serious injuries and deaths on roads.

“This grant funding allows us to support our ongoing traffic safety efforts in the community,” El Centro Police Department Officer Carlos Bernal said. “Our intent is to stop the most unlawful and dangerous behaviors that put people at risk and create an environment where everyone feels safe traveling.”

The press release said the grant program will run through September 2023 and was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Here is a list of the grant will provide, according to ECPD:

• DUI checkpoints and patrols focused on stopping suspected impaired drivers.
• High visibility distracted driving enforcement operations targeting drivers in violation of California’s hands-free cell phone law.
• Enforcement operations focused on the most dangerous driver behaviors that put the safety of people biking or walking at risk.
• Enforcement operations focused on top violations that cause crashes: speeding, failure to yield, stop sign and/or red-light running, and improper turning or lane changes.
• Community presentations on traffic safety issues such as distracted driving, impaired driving, speeding, bicycle and pedestrian safety.
• Collaborative enforcement efforts with neighboring agencies.
• Officer training and/or recertification: Standard Field Sobriety Test (SFST), Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) and Drug Recognition Expert (DRE).