[Sahuarita, AZ - Nov. 9, 2023] - The Town of Sahuarita Police Department has been the recipient of grant funds to help with traffic safety and DUI traffic enforcement in the community for 2023/2024. Funding for the increased enforcement is provided through several grants from the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS).
Within the last 12 months Sahuarita Officers have made 74 arrests for impaired driving/DUI offenses. The funding and awarding of these grants will assist the police department in enhancing their abilities to focus on the prevention, education, detection, apprehension, and prosecution of potentially impaired drivers. DUI/Impaired Driving grant funded $20,000.00 to support and enhance Impaired Driver/DUI alcohol education, enforcement, and investigations throughout the Town of Sahuarita to include DUI Task Force participation, DUI Checkpoints, and saturation enforcement details within the community.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety grant provided $15,000.00 for the enforcement and education of traffic laws pertaining to the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists. Enforcement areas include school zones and large community events.
The Accident Investigation Program provided $10,000 for training in the investigation and reconstruction of traffic accidents, and $8,628 for traffic investigation equipment.
The Occupant Protection Program provided $5,000 for the enforcement and education of child safety seats. The Sahuarita Police Department has staff certified as National Child Passenger Safety Technicians to be available to the community to assist in proper child safety seat installation.
The Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) provided $30,000 and will be used for the enforcement of traffic laws pertaining to aggressive driving, speeding, racing, and red light running as well as to purchase a solar powered message board which will aid in communication with the public about traffic changes, special events, road closures, etc., Additionally, the Sahuarita Police Department will focus on increased public awareness about the dangers of speed in an attempt to reduce and prevent vehicle collisions.
The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety has contributed $88,628.00 in overtime and material funding for training, education, equipment, and enforcement in the areas of, impaired driving, pedestrian and bicycle safety, occupant protection, accident investigation, and selective traffic enforcement in an effort to keep the Town of Sahuarita a safe community.