Police department wins state award for traffic safety efforts

CLEARWATER -- The Clearwater Police Department has taken first place in the Florida Law Enforcement Challenge for its traffic safety efforts.

The department received the award for a number of traffic initiatives, including an expansion of its traffic and DUI teams; its use of translators in educational programs for the city's growing Hispanic community; its child protection seat installation programs; and the 44 percent reduction in alcohol-related fatalities, resulting in the city's lowest traffic fatality rate in a decade.

"Having our programs and initiatives celebrated at this level lets us know we're on the cutting edge of traffic safety in Florida," said Lt. Steve Burch, commander of the department's traffic section.

The department, which won second place last year, competed with departments of similar size across the state. The award is presented annually through the auspices of the Institute of Police Technology and Management.

Traffic has become a priority for police Chief Sid Klein as part of his Project Next Step. Klein has said responding to traffic concerns, which residents have shared with police in recent surveys, has been one of his priorities.

Other Pinellas police agencies also took home awards. The Largo Police Department took a second-place award, the St. Petersburg Police Department took a third-place award, and the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office earned a second-place award.

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