Chelsea Police Department Announces Traffic Enforcement Strategy
During the recent attendance at various community outreach meetings, traffic issues were clearly identified as one of the top concerns by the citizens of our community. The traffic goals set by the Chelsea Police Department are a commitment to a community policing strategy of enforcing traffic laws to promote safety and compliance with all traffic related laws and regulations, while working in partnership with the community and other public and private entities to resolve traffic problems through education, engineering and participation. The outcome is a safer community for all modes of transportation.
The primary purpose of the outlined scheduled of enforcement is to minimize personal injury and property damage accidents by promoting a safe and orderly flow of pedestrian, bicycle and motor vehicle traffic in the City of Chelsea. This shall be accomplished through directed traffic enforcement and high visibility deterrence in certain identified areas which account for a disproportionate number of accidents. Therefore, the Chelsea Police Department will undertake a number of dedicated strategies to deploy increased resources to address traffic related problems, including:
TARGETED ENFORCEMENT IN DOWNTOWN: The CPD Traffic Unit will continue to conduct regular traffic enforcement initiatives throughout the summer. We shall focus the Traffic Unit’s attention on the downtown Broadway area as well as Hawthorne Street, and the Central Ave area and surrounding neighborhoods for “high visibility traffic enforcement.”
LOW RIDERS/DRAG RACERS: The so-called “low-riders” have historically become a problem when the warm weather begins. The CPD shall have Traffic Unit Personnel assigned on Friday & Saturday nights to target this quality of life and safety issue. The CPD will be targeting drag racers through speed enforcement, tinted window infractions, height modification violations, as well as other violations of the law
CLICK IT OR TICKET: Traffic Unit Officers will be conducting a State funded Click It or Ticket Enforcement Operation under a Traffic Safety Grant funded by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS). The operation will target seat belt compliance. Massachusetts has the lowest compliance rate in the country.
DRUNK DRIVING: OVER THE LIMIT, UNDER ARREST: Traffic Unit Officers will be conducting additional traffic enforcement under a Traffic Safety Grant funded by EOPSS to target drunk drivers.
PEDESTRIAN, BICYCLE & MOPED SAFETY INITIATIVE: The CPD will be developing a public education initiative which will be followed by intensive enforcement of crosswalk violations using “decoys”, especially when school re-opens.
SPEEDING ENFORCEMENT: The CPD has recently purchased a portable, battery operated radar speed sign last fiscal year through an EOPSS grant. In addition to displaying speeds to approaching drivers, the device collects traffic data which helps us to identify when and where and at what time intervals speeding is occurring. We will be moving this sign through the city and conducting enforcement activities in areas where reoccurring problems are identified.
TAXI / LIVERY SAFETY & ENFORCEMENT: Due to the proliferation of unlicensed taxicabs and livery vehicles throughout the city, the department began an intensive enforcement effort last December. Some of these people have been turned down for hackney licenses or had licenses revoked due to poor driving records, criminal records or sex offender status. In the interest of public safety these enforcement efforts shall continue. Additionally, the department has forged a partnership with the Market Basket. Certain frequent violators have been served with No Trespass Notices and will conduct targeted enforcement against these individuals.
TRAFFIC STUDIES: Utilizing a traffic classifier purchased last year through an EOPSS grant, we will continue to conduct traffic studies in various areas through the city.
LICENSE PLATE READER: The CPD intends to purchase this unit in the coming weeks. The LPR Unit will be used to seek out revoked, unregistered and insured vehicles; stolen and wanted vehicles; vehicles owing outstanding parking tickets; and we will begin collecting data to target vehicles registered out of town to avoid excise taxes.
“We understand that neighborhood traffic complaints and concerns are received from a variety of sources including residents and/or business leaders, elected representatives, Sector Community Action Team Meetings, other City departments, and from random citizen contacts. In response to these valid concerns and complaints, the Chelsea Police Department will schedule and deploy a portable speed board for a period of time and then follow up with directed enforcement activities by either officers in a patrol vehicle or officers on motorcycles. We will also develop a plan to better utilize the existing radar traffic trailer in designated areas burdened by frequent speeders creating a threat to our children. Please be assured that this important public safety initiative shall continue to be a priority for the Chelsea Police Department.”
–Chief Brian Kyes
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