May 13, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Santa Monica Police Department Receives Grant For Special Traffic Enforcement and Crash Prevention

The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) has been awarded a
$300,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for a yearlong program of special enforcements and public awareness efforts to prevent traffic related deaths and injuries.

SMPD will use the funding as part of the city’s ongoing commitment to keep our roadways safe and improve the quality of life through both enforcement and education. “We are thankful for the continued support from the California Office of Traffic Safety. Our partnership has been instrumental towards promoting safety and mobility in Santa Monica.”, said Interim Chief Kenneth Semko. “The grant will assist the department in performing a variety of traffic enforcement campaigns; improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety.”

After falling to a ten-year low in 2010, the number of persons killed on roadways has climbed nearly 17 percent across the state, with 3,429 fatalities in 2015. Particularly alarming is the rise in pedestrian and bicycle fatalities that now comprise nearly 25 percent of all traffic deaths, along with the growing dangers of distracting technologies and the emergence of drug-impaired driving. This grant funding will provide opportunities to combat these and other devastating problems such as speeding and crashes at intersections.

“Unsafe behaviors account for 94 percent of traffic crashes,” said OTS Director Rhonda Craft.

“This grant emphasizes the two most effective ways to change behaviors – education and enforcement. The Santa Monica Police Department, with assistance from the Office of Traffic Safety, will use these tools to help keep the Santa Monica streets safe.”

Activities that the grant will fund include:
• Educational presentations
• DUI checkpoints
• DUI saturation patrols
• Bicycle and pedestrian safety enforcement
• Motorcycle safety enforcement
• Distracted driving enforcement

• Seat belt and child safety seat enforcement
• Speed, red light, and stop sign enforcement
While alcohol remains the worst offender for DUI crashes, the Santa Monica Police Department supports the new effort from OTS that aims to drive awareness that “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.” Prescription medications and marijuana can also be impairing by themselves, or in combination with alcohol, and can result in a DUI arrest.

Funding for this program is from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The Santa Monica Police Department has announced details of its next DUI/Driver's License checkpoint.
The Santa Monica Police Department has announced details of its next DUI/Driver’s License checkpoint.
<>Related Posts

City of Malibu Accepting Poet Laureate Applications for 2025–2027 Term

May 13, 2025

May 13, 2025

Malibu Invites Poets to Apply to Represent Malibu’s Creative Voice Malibu has opened the application period for its 2025–2027 Poet...

Golf Tournament to Raise Funds for Palisades Charter High School Wildfire Recovery

May 12, 2025

May 12, 2025

The “Raise Pali Golf Tournament” includes a nine-hole game, prize putting contests, and a community reception A community-led golf tournament...

Registration Opens for Second Annual Venice Beach Run

May 12, 2025

May 12, 2025

Race organizers promise a festive finish line atmosphere, complete with live DJs, a beer garden, a vendor expo, and giveaways...

Brentwood Art Center: Creative Art Camps for Kids and Teens this Summer

May 12, 2025

May 12, 2025

The beloved Brentwood Art Center is hosting summer camps at its new location at Olympic & 17th in Santa Monica. ...

Loyola High School, Community Honors Braun Levi, 18, After Tragedy in Manhattan Beach

May 12, 2025

May 12, 2025

Scholarship Fund Launched; Suspect with Suspended License Held Without Bail Tributes poured in over the weekend for Loyola High School...

City to Issue Solicitations for Affordable Housing Development at Bergamot Station Arts Center

May 12, 2025

May 12, 2025

Proposals for the Bergamot Station Arts Center must prioritize maximizing affordable housing units while also considering potential artist housing and...

Historic Lloyd Wright-Designed Palisades Home Hits Market at $12.9M

May 12, 2025

May 12, 2025

Wright, the son of Frank Lloyd Wright, designed the estate for an Academy-winning composer A historic estate designed by architect...

Saint Monica Prep: Mariner Sports Camps Focus on Fundamentals

May 11, 2025

May 11, 2025

Coaches that led Saint Monica Preparatory’s Mariner sports teams to win league and division titles are offering opportunities for the...

Top Malibu Sale of 2025: Oceanfront Malibu Colony Home Sells for $26.8M

May 11, 2025

May 11, 2025

Old Hollywood-Era Home Sells After Over a Year on the Market Topping Malibu’s residential sales charts for the year, a...

SM.a.r.t Column: Open Container, Closed Minds: Why Santa Monica’s Outdoor Drinking Plan Will Likely Drown

May 11, 2025

May 11, 2025

Santa Monica’s new plan to allow outdoor drinking on the Third Street Promenade between 8:00 AM and 2:00 AM is...

Annual Film Awards Show Leaving Santa Monica for Hollywood

May 11, 2025

May 11, 2025

The move marks a major shift for the iconic awards show, long known for its laid-back, seaside atmosphere that distinguished...

Group Exhibition “Boulders” Showcases Work by 34 Artists at Arcane Space

May 9, 2025

May 9, 2025

The exhibition emphasizes “mutual support, collective strength, and an unflinching engagement with this current moment.” A new group exhibition opening...

Avril Lavigne Partners with Palisades Skate Shop for Sweatshirt Fundraiser

May 9, 2025

May 9, 2025

The sweatshirt, blending Lavigne’s signature style with Paliskates’ skate culture roots, is on sale Three months after its spotlight moment...

Sunshine Beach Volleyball Camps: Register Open for Summer Camps

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

Summer is coming. For young volleyball athletes, that means registration for the Sunshine Westside Beach Camp and South Bay Beach...

World-Class Brew: Santa Monica’s Own Takes Home Top Beer Honors

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

Basil, Citrus, and Craftsmanship: See Which Local Brewery Just Won Big Santa Monica Brew Works (SMBW) just took home a...