Sustained Traffic Enforcement Program (step Grant)

 Narrative: Sheriff Richard A. Meyers is announcing the implementation of the second enforcement campaign of the Sustained Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP Grant). This enforcement campaign will last for two weeks and will take place over the Christmas and New Year’s Holidays.  The funds for this program ($8,256.00) are provided by a grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation. This grant will provide funds to pay overtime and associated costs for additional officers to patrol some of the most dangerous intersections and roadways in Winnebago County. During this enforcement campaign, a total of more than 150 hours of additional patrol will be expended.  The purpose of the STEP Grant is to reduce the incidence of motor vehicle crashes, and the resulting injuries and fatalities, through increased highly visible enforcement of occupant restraint, impaired driving, speed, pedestrian safety and motorcycle licensing and registration laws.  In 2009, the Sheriff’s Office investigated over 1800 motor vehicle crashes. 14 of those were fatalities. Many of the injuries and deaths could have been prevented by drivers obeying speed laws and properly utilizing occupant restraint devices, such as seatbelts and child safety restraints.  The Sheriff’s Office urges all motorists this holiday season to buckle their safety belts, obey all laws and use a designated driver if consuming alcohol.