The Union City Police Department (UCPD) applied for Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grant funding from the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS). The Union City Police Department was awarded $92,000 in grant funding to support impaired driving enforcement, traffic enforcement, distracted driving enforcement, pedestrian and bicycle enforcement, and traffic safety education as outlined in the grant application process.   

Citywide Strategic Plan- C: Economic, Community Development and Public Safety.

Goal C. Institute forward-thinking business, land use development, housing, social services, and public safety strategies that promote community growth and innovation.

C.10: Align public safety services with community needs based on a data driven decision-making approach. 

In 2017, the National Safety Council reported more than 40,000 people died in motor vehicle collisions. The three most significant causes of fatalities on the road are alcohol, speeding, and distracted driving. Like most cities, Union City has overwhelming traffic issues. The volume of commuter traffic, combined with the traffic produced by our population, presents many challenges to public safety. 

From 2017-2019, the Union City Police Department received more than 700 traffic collision calls for service each year. There were three fatalities in 2017, five in 2018, and four in 2019. Pedestrians and bicyclists have played a significant role in these collisions. Additionally, impaired driving remains a primary concern for our community. There were 82 DUI arrests in 2017, 105 DUI arrests in 2018, and 101 DUI arrests in 2019.

During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the Union City Police Department received 448 traffic collision calls for service, investigated one fatality, and had 48 DUI arrests. As COVID-19 restrictions lessened in 2021, the Union City Police Department received 591 traffic collision calls for service, investigated two fatalities, and had 50 DUI arrests. In 2022, the Union City Police Department received 585 traffic collision calls for service and had 35 DUI arrests.  In 2023, the Union City Police Department received 641 traffic collision calls for service, investigated two fatalities and had 36 DUI arrests. 

The money from the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grant will provide the necessary funding to allow the department to conduct additional enforcement and education that would not typically occur due to budgetary constraints. The additional revenue will be used in a variety of ways including facilitating DUI checkpoints and providing directed traffic enforcement in specific areas of the city where violations occur more frequently. The monies will also be used to address people who drive while using their cell phone and connect with bicyclists who violate traffic laws. There will be educational opportunities for the youth and additional training for department employees. 

The citizens of Union City will benefit from the acceptance of the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program grant funding.

The STEP grant funding of $92,000 from the Office of Traffic Safety will provide funding to allow the enforcement and education identified above.  In anticipation of receiving the 2024-2025 OTS STEP Grant, $80,000 was included as estimated revenue, and a corresponding $80,000 was appropriated, in the FY 2024-2025 OTS STEP Grant Fund budget. Therefore, the budget amendments included in the attached resolution are increasing both the revenue and expenditure budgets by $12,000.

It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution:

1.      Authorizing the acceptance of Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grant funds, in the amount of $92,000; and 

2. Amending the FY 2024-2025 OTS Fund revenue budget by increasing the revenue projection in Account Number 2140-00-00-000-0000-020325-44013 (OTS Fund – PD OTS STEP PT25085 – OTS Grant) by $12,000, from $80,000 to $92,000; and
3. Amending the FY 2024-2025 OTS Fund expenditure budget by appropriating $12,000 as follows:

a. $7,874 to Account Number 2140-15-20-220-2202-020325-51115 (OTS Fund – Public Safety – Police Department – Field Operations – Traffic – PD OTS STEP PT25085 – Overtime),

b. $5,436 to Account Number 2140-15-20-220-2202-020325-53701 (OTS Fund – Public Safety – Police Department – Field Operations – Traffic – PD OTS STEP PT25085 – Other Supplies),

c. $400 to Account Number 2140-15-20-220-2202-020325-54214 (OTS Fund – Public Safety – Police Department – Field Operations – Traffic – PD OTS STEP PT25085 – Printing/Duplication-Paper Only),

d. $915 to Account Number 2140-15-20-220-2202-020325-54310 (OTS Fund – Public Safety – Police Department – Field Operations – Traffic – PD OTS STEP PT25085 – Travel & Training),

e. ($2,625) to Account Number 2140-15-20-220-2202-020325-57130 (OTS Fund – Public Safety – Police Department – Field Operations – Traffic – PD OTS STEP PT25085 – Other Equipment).  (This is a reduction to the budgeted amount in this account); and

4. Authorizing the City Manager, or her designee, to execute any and all documents necessary to accept the grant, in a form approved by the City Attorney, and take any other such action as is necessary to carry out the purpose and intent of this Resolution.

Jean Jimenez, Police Lieutenant

Andrew Holt, Police Captain