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The Florida Department of Transportation
in conjunction with the Florida Police Chief's Association,
sponsored the first annual Florida Chief's Challenge Awards Program.
The purpose of the program was to recognize Florida law enforcement
agencies that are innovative and proactive in improving traffic
safety in their communities.
On June 22, 2001 Captain John Slack and Lieutenant Steven Burch
represented the Department at an awards banquet in Orlando. The
Clearwater Police Department came in second place in the state for
agencies with 151-400 officers.
The Clearwater Police Department has instituted a number of creative
approaches to educate the public on traffic safety issues. Programs
like Elvis the Buckle-Up Bear (traffic safety for children),
Hands Across the Bay (multi-agency enforcement program),
and Stop for Red or Stop for Blue (school bus safety) have
been supplemented by a number of intensive traffic enforcement efforts
targeting everything from aggressive driving to safety belt violations.
This total department commitment to traffic safety has resulted
in a 10 percent increase in citations and a 26 percent increase
in DUI arrests over the previous year.
In recognition of these efforts, the police department received
a laser mapping system to enhance our ability to conduct major crash
investigations and a trophy.
For additional information on traffic safety programs, contact Lt.
Steve Burch at (727) 562-4161 or email sburch@clearwaterpolice.org.
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