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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8.2 Motorcycle Grant CITY CLERK File # 0580-40 AGENDA STATEMENT CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: January 18, 2000 SUBJECT: Request authorization to apply for a grant through the Office of Traffic Safety for the purchase of a motorcycle for traffic enforcement Report Prepared by John Hardester, Police Services Lieutenant ATTACHMENTS: None RECOMMENDATION: Authorize Police Services to apply for a grant through the Office of Traffic Safety for the purchase of a motorcycle for use in traffic enforcement FINANCIAL STATEMENT: Purchase of a motorcycle for use in traffic enforcement, training of two Dublin Police Officers, emergency equipment purchase and installation, purchase of a trailer to haul the motorcycle for maintenance, and personal equipment for two officers would have an approximate initial cost of $29,000. Reimbursement for the entire initial cost would be requested as part of the grant application. It is anticipated that following the initial cost (grant funded), the City would be responsible for approximately $5,000 of annual on- going costs. On-going costs would include maintenance fees for the motorcycle, emergency equipment maintenance, transfer fee for the annual trade-in of the motorcycle, and reinstallation costs for the emergency equipment. DESCRIPTION: At present, most of the City's streets in the downtown area are of the multiple lane variety, with signal controlled intersections that are sizable. Typically, during commute hours and lunch periods, traffic is considerable and traffic enforcement at those intersections is accomplished by the use of marked patrol vehicles. Because positioning of a patrol vehicle is difficult at these intersections, accessibility to law violators is greatly diminished by traffic congestion. Traffic violators have directly affected the past five- year increase in injury accidents in the City. According to the 1996 CHP SWITRS Report, speed was indicated as the primary collision factor in 21.7% of all fatal and injury collisions. In 1998, there were a H/cc-forms/agdastmt.doc COPIES TO: ITEM NO. 8.2 total.of 57 speed-related accidents compared to 16 in 1995, an increase of 256%. There has also been a 20% increase for all types of accidents; however, there has, not been a significant increase in the number of moving citations issued. Police Services contends that the addition of a motorcycle unit to Police Services is the next logical step in an effort to combat speed related collisions and to deter overall speeding violations. Currently, Police Services traffic officers utilize marked patrol vehicles for traffic enforcement. The use of motorcycles has proven to be a more effective tool in enforcing traffic laws in a large part because motorcycles are more effective in terms of concealment. Additionally, motorcycles afford officers enhanced mobility in 'terms of maneuverability in busy intersections, an element that assists officers in apprehending traffic law violators. Police Services contends that the issuance of citations for moving violations is the most effective means of modifying driver behavior to reduce the number of vehicular accidents and the use of motorcycles to accomplish that task has proven to be effective. During fiscal year 2000-2001 budget process, further evaluation and analysis regarding the use of existing traffic officers to operate the motorcycle for traffic enforcement or the need for a new position to augment the current Dublin Police Traffic Unit will occur. The request-to apply for a grant to purchase the motorcycle is being presented prior to budget submission due to the fact that the Office of Traffic Safety has imposed a January 31, 2000 deadline for applications to be submitted. Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the pursuit of a grant from the Office of Traffic Safety in the amount of approximately $29,000 for the purchase of a motorcycle for use in traffic enforcement, and the related training and equipment.