Gonzales Police Department is Awarded 2025-2026 Grant of $30,000 from the OTS

 

Gonzales, Calif. – The Gonzales Police Department has received a $30,000 grant

from the Office of Traffic Safety which targets to reduce the number of persons

killed and injured in crashes involving alcohol and other primary crash factors.

The funded strategies will include impaired driving enforcement, enforcement

operations focusing on primary crash factors, distracted driving, night-time seat

belt enforcement, special enforcement operations encouraging motorcycle

safety, enforcement and public awareness in areas with a high number of

bicycle and pedestrian crashes, and educational programs.

• In 2022, Gonzales ranked 8th out of 76 cities for pedestrian-vehicle

crashes. Moreover, in the 65 and older category, we ranked 4th out of 76.

• In 2023, Gonzales experienced 29 hit-and-runs compared to 25 in 2022.

During 2024, Gonzales experienced 10 injury crashes and 19 hit-and-runs.

With the support of the Office of Traffic Safety and grant funding, Gonzales PD

will provide Traffic Safety education to the public on vehicle and pedestrian

safety and further develop our enforcement program focusing on roadway

violations in an effort to decrease fatal and injury crashes. We will also increase

enforcement efforts throughout Gonzales, particularly in high-traffic areas where

there are many pedestrians, including children.

The data underscores the ongoing challenges in reducing traffic-related injuries

and fatalities across all demographics. The department remains committed to

proactive enforcement and safety initiatives, focusing on high-risk areas and

vulnerable road users. Addressing issues such as speeding, impaired driving, and

distracted driving require consistent and continuous enforcement. The

department allocates additional enforcement to maximize visibility, productivity,

and effectiveness by targeting times and locations where incidents are most

common based on data. With the increase in traffic enforcement operation

details the department can address the ongoing concerns in reducing both

fatal and injury crashes.

• Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California

Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety

Administration.

• The grant program runs through September 2026.