Item 25 - Selective Traffic Enforcement Program Grant Funds

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9/27/2023 9:22:31 AM Page 4 of 21 State of California Office of Traffic Safety GRANT AGREEMENT Schedule A GRANT NUMBER PT24184 1. PROBLEM STATEMENT The City of Santa Ana is a diverse and dynamic city. It is the County Seat and metropolitan hub within Orange County, drawing hundreds of persons in the city on a daily basis. With landmarks like Bower's Museum, Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA), California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) Grant Central Art Center, it is a popular destination for art aficionados and students. The Downtown Santa Ana Historic District has become a popular destination on weekend nights. New restaurants and bars continue to open their doors to welcome patrons. This influx of patrons has greatly increased the number of drivers in the downtown area during evening hours, many of whom have been consuming alcoholic beverages. The City of Santa Ana is home to an estimated 322,725 residents. Within the City of Santa Ana, there are approximately 477 miles of local, arterial, and collector roadways. The City employs approximately 354 sworn Police Officers, fielded in either Patrol, Investigations, or Traffic assignments. The Santa Ana Police Department has 21 sworn Police Officers assigned to the Traffic Division. These numbers include (1) Commander, (2) Sergeants, (3) Corporals, and (15) Police Officers, (3) sworn Police Officers as Crash Investigators and are fielded for the purpose of OTS traffic enforcement as needed and to conduct other special duties. There are (18) Motor Officers assigned to the Traffic Division who are tasked with daily traffic enforcement and crash investigations. In 2020 there were 23 fatal traffic crashes. In 2021 there were 23 fatal traffic crashes respectively. In 2022 there were 18 fatal traffic crashes. Many of these fatal traffic crashes have been the result of alcohol and/or drug-related vehicle crashes and pedestrian crashes. Injury crashes have increased from 1170 in 2020 to 1350 in 2021, a trend the department hopes ceases with continued funding for enforcement efforts. Nearly one-half of all injury traffic crashes were caused by three primary factors (PCF's); unsafe speed, automobile right-of-way violations, and traffic signals & signs violations. Our city has committed itself to traffic safety. In the most recently published five-year strategic plan, traffic- safety was outlined to be a top priority, specifically as it relates to education and enforcement. In response, the Traffic Division has dedicated itself to participating in education programs, targeting all children and adults alike. The Traffic Division has hired personnel to focus on these efforts specifically. Through our work in education, both grant-funded and internally funded measures, we hope to prevent the tragic consequences of unsafe drivers, pedestrians, and impaired drivers. The educational efforts, in conjunction with ardent enforcement activities, will have a positive effect on our community and make the City of Santa Ana safer for everyone. As part of other traffic safety measures, the City of Santa Ana will focus efforts on bicycle safety intended to reduce the number of bicyclists injured or killed in traffic crashes. Bicycle safety measures taken by providing bicycle helmets and informational events for the community will reduce bike crashes and other bicycle related injuries. During 2022, we had 4 bicyclists involved in a fatal traffic crash and had a total of 116 bicyclists injured in traffic crashes. In FY2024, we hope to reduce bicycle safety threats in the city and to accomplish this we aim to do the following: Issue and properly fit helmets, distribute reflective arms bands as available and lights to reduce the number of bicyclists riding in our community without properly fit equipment while increasing their visibility among drivers. The ways we distribute the equipment may include: At bicycle safety events generally held at Teen Centers, schools, city parks, apartment complexes, mobile home parks, PD/substation, or Community Centers. At the Santa Ana Police Department booth at City-wide special events (e.g., National Night Out). All of our major events have free bike parking. This is another area where staff will connect with folks who may arrive without the proper safety equipment. In cooperation with our School Resource Officers and/or Probation Officer through individual contacts as a result of another incident.