HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 8.2 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.