$350K Awarded To Newport Beach Police; Patrols Increased

NEWPORT BEACH, CA — Newport Beach police will increase patrols and inject funding into a myriad of different resources and programs through a new $350,000 grant, the department announced.

The grant, which was given by the California Office of Traffic Safety, is intended to help reduce the number of serious injuries and deaths on Newport Beach's roads, officials said in a statement.

“This grant funding allows us to support our ongoing traffic safety efforts in the community,” Newport Beach Police Department Lieutenant Eric Little said. “Our intent is to stop the most unlawful and dangerous behaviors that put people at risk and create an environment where everyone feels safe traveling.”

The grant will fund the following:

• DUI checkpoints and patrols focused on stopping suspected impaired drivers.
• High visibility distracted driving enforcement operations targeting drivers in violation of California’s hands-free cell phone law.
• Enforcement operations focused on the most dangerous driver behaviors that put the safety of people biking or walking at risk.
• Enforcement operations focused on top violations that cause crashes: speeding, failure to yield, stop sign and/or red-light running, and improper turning or lane changes.
• Community presentations on traffic safety issues such as distracted driving, impaired driving, speeding, bicycle and pedestrian safety.
• Collaborative enforcement efforts with neighboring agencies.
• Officer training and/or recertification: Standard Field Sobriety Test, Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement and Drug Recognition Expert.

The grant program will run through September 2023.