HomeMy WebLinkAbout27. 15-223
APRIL 28, 2015 15-223 RESOLUTION
(CARRIED ___7-0___ LOST _______ LAID OVER _______ WITHDRAWN_______)
PURPOSE: AUTHORIZE POLICE DPARTMENT GRANTS FOR
(1) BICYCLE SAFETY ENFORCEMENT
(2) SPEED ENFORCEMENT
INITATED BY: OSHKOSH POLICE DEPARTMENT
BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council for the City of Oshkosh that the
proper City officials are hereby authorized and directed to approve a grant agreement
with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Safety for:
(a) Bicycle Safety Enforcement - $2,500 to pay for officer overtime related to
directed enforcement activities on city streets with bike lanes, in city parks,
and other high bicycle use areas of the city for the purpose of enhancing
bicycle safety.
(b) Speed Enforcement - $10,000 to pay for officer overtime related to speed
enforcement targeting problem areas for speeding and high crash locations.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the proper City officials are hereby authorized
and directed to execute any and all documents required by the Wisconsin Department
of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Safety for purposes of the same, and are
further authorized and directed, if said grant is awarded, to accept such funds, pursuant
to the terms of the grant application.
420 Jackson Street
Oshkosh,WI 54901
� '� �� City of Oshkosh Tel: 920-236-5720
� ' Fax:920-236-5087
Police Department sgreuel@ci.oshkosh.wi.us
www.oshkoshpd.com
�
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• PROFESSIONALISM • PRIDE • INTEGRITY • TEAMWORK Scott D. Greuel
Chief of Police
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council
FROM: Scott D. Greuel, Chief of Police
DATE: Apri121, 2015
RE: Authorize Police Department Grants for Bike Safety and Speed Enforcement
BACKGROUND
The Oshkosh Police Department has been notified by the Wisconsin Department of
Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Safety (BOTS), of our eligibility for two grants to
be used specifically for bicycle safety and speed enfarcement efforts in the city. The grant
amounts are $2,500 to pay for officer overtime related to bike safety enforcement, and
$10,000 to pay for officer overtime related to speed enforcement. The enforcement activity
for both grants must occur between the months of May through August 2015.
ANALYSIS
Oshkosh is striving to become a more bicycle friendly community, and enhanced safety with
bicycles and vehicles sharing city streets is a priority. The most current 2014 Department of
Transportation record indicates eighteen (18) bicycle crashes with motor vehicles in the City
of Oshkosh through September in 2014. In 2013, there were twenty-two (22) bicycle crashes
and in 2012 there were thirty-eight (38) bicycle crashes with vehicles in the City of Oshkosh.
Our enforcement activities will focus on reducing the number of bicycle crashes by at least
10% below the fina12014 statistic thereby also reducing the likelihood of injuries to
bicyclists from being struck by vehicles, and will occur primarily at high crash locations,
streets with bike lanes and in the university and downtown areas. The $2,500 BOTS Bicycle
Safety Grant will enable us to deploy officers on at least four 2-hour deployments per month
during the summer.
Speeding in our neighborhoods and on our city streets is a common complaint received by
the Police Department on an on-going basis. Excessive speed is often associated with other
high risk behaviors that increase the likelihood of a crash. Traffic enforcement has become
one of the priority goals of our Team Policing operations. According to the BOTS Speed
Grant requirements, officers must adopt a zero tolerance approach for speeding and seat belt
violations and are required to make at least one stop every 45 minutes and must maintain a
ratio of at least three citations to one written warning. The locations of enforcement will
occur in the problem areas, locations of highest number of complaints and of highest number
of vehicle crashes with the majority of the enforcement conducted during the summer
months.
The Mission of the Oshkosh Police Department is to promote public safety and to enhance the
quality of life in our community through innovative policing and community partnerships
Aggressive traffic enforcement saves lives, reduces injuries and property damage, and
enhances public safety on our roadways.
FISCAL IMPACT
The $2,500 Bicycle Safety Grant and the $10,000 Speed Enforcement Grant will pay for all
of the police officer overtime related to the directed enforcement activities. These are grants
that focus on active enforcement of current laws. Grant funds cannot be used to purchase
equipment to assist in the enforcement details, and no additional equipment will be needed.
The use of department or city budget is not anticipated for these enforcement details.
RECOMMENDATION
I am requesting Common Council approval for us to apply for, accept and utilize the grants
as indicated in this memo, and in accordance with the requirements of the grants, in support
of our bike safety and speed enforcement efforts in the city to enhance public safety.
Respectfully submitted, Approved,
�'�.�'�t� �'��a----,��,r�'✓�i
Scott D. Greuel Mark Rohloff
Chief of Police City Manager
The Mission of the Oshkosh Police Department is to promote public safety and to enhance the
quality of life in our community through innovative policing and community partnerships