TO: Mayor and Commissioners
FROM: Chief Javaro Sims, Police Department
THROUGH: Neal de Jesus, Interim City Manager
DATE: November 5, 2019
Title
APPROVAL OF GRANT APPLICATION AND AWARD/FDOT/MOTORCYCLE SAFETY PROGRAM
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Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Motion to Approve application for the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) FY 19/20 Motorcycle Safety program.
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Background:
The Police Department is requesting approval to submit an application and accept an award for the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) FY 19/20 Motorcycle Safety program. Funding from this grant provides for overtime salary for officers that will engage in motorcycle safety program activities.
A problem that exists and continues to increase in the City of Delray Beach are Motorcycle /Scooter serious bodily injury/fatality crashes due to reckless driving, riding without a helmet/eye protection, motor vehicle/motorcycle awareness. In the past 3 years, from 2016-2018, the City of Delray Beach has seen a large increase in motorcycle/scooter crashes that resulted in Serious Bodily Injuries/fatalities. These crashes occurred due to speeding, riders not wearing protective gear (helmets) and the increase of residents and vacationers who visit the downtown area. Due to the increase of visitors and residents there has been a large increase of citations issued from past years.
Palm Beach County is currently ranked 9th out of 25 counties in Group I for Motorcyclists, which was published in the FDOT FY2020 Highway Safety Matrix-Ranking of Florida Counties. Delray Beach is currently ranked 14th out of 101 cities for Motorcyclists, which was published in the FDOT FY2020 Highway Safety Matrix-Ranking of Florida Cities. The city of Delray Beach has been directly impacted by increased serious bodily injury/fatality crash trends and has averaged more than 9 traffic fatalities for the years 2016-2018. In the first two months of 2019 alone, Delray Beach has already recorded three traffic related fatalities . It is this agencies goal to increase safety awareness, reduce injury accidents and fatalities. This overtime grant will allow the Delray Beach Police Department Traffic Unit to increase enforcement and thus reduce crashes throughout the city .
The members of the Delray Beach Police Department’s Patrol Division and Traffic Division /Police Motor Unit will conduct result-driven high visibility enforcement at major intersections where the majority of crashes occur in the City of Delray Beach. These divisions will deploy to documented roadways where motorcycle safety is a problem and vigorously conduct enforcement utilizing education, and through the issuance of warnings and citations.
If FDOT approves our application, we will be awarded $20,000 for the education and enforcement efforts, however we are seeking approval to accept award up to amount of $30,000.
City Attorney Review:
Approved as to form and legal sufficiency.
Funding Source/Financial Impact:
The reimbursable overtime for FY 19/20 will be funded in 001-21-110-521.14-20 (Special Services - Reimbursable Overtime) account.