With an influx of winter residents and visitors — and all the events that make the valley a very desirable place to be — there is new focus on public safety, especially in the areas of traffic enforcement and equipment to keep roads safe.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) has been awarded over $601,000 in grant funding from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS). The grants will help with overtime costs for troopers and dispatchers during driving under the influence (DUI) enforcement details, targeted distracted driving enforcement operations, and seatbelt enforcement details. The grants will also allow for the purchase of Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) speed measurement devices and other speed measuring radars to be used for traffic enforcement by troopers. Additionally, the grants will be utilized to purchase a fully equipped police vehicle, drones and drone equipment, bike helmets and rear safety lights to enhance pedestrian and bicycle safety education throughout the state of Arizona. One of the grants will also provide money for the state crime labs to purchase materials and supplies to further support their mission.
The following is a breakdown of grant money allocated from GOHS:
• $10,000 for Dispatchers assigned to DUI Enforcement Details
• $244,280 for Selective Traffic Enforcement Program and Materials
• $30,000 for Distracted Driving Enforcement
• $75,000 for the State Crime Lab
• $100,000 for DUI Enforcement
• $30,000 Seatbelt Enforcement Details
• $1,055 for Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety
• $52,134 for DUI Impaired Driving Equipment
• $59,000 for Drone Materials, Software and Equipment

“Thanks to the continued support of the GOHS, the Highway Patrol Division will be able to enhance enforcement of distracted driving, seatbelt usage, aggressive driving and DUI, all of which continue to be large factors in injury and fatal collisions,” said Lt. Col. Jenna Mitchell, Assistant Director, Arizona Department of Public Safety, whose mission is to protect human life and property by enforcing state laws, deterring criminal activity and providing vital support to the State of Arizona and its citizens.