CUYAHOGA FALLS — Police now have some extra money — and overtime — available to look out for bad drivers.



Police Chief Jack Davis announced Wednesday that his department is the recipient of a $37,143 Traffic Safety Grant from the Ohio Department of Public Safety.



The grant will cover overtime for officers to bolster enforcement against impaired and aggressive driving violations, in addition to providing extra patrols during the prom and holiday seasons.



Officers will use "good old fashioned patrol work looking for erratic driving and other violations," Davis said.



"By using this grant money we will be able to put more officers on the road to provide a safer commute for our citizens and visitors without impacting the city’s budget," the department stated in a release.



Mayor Don Walters touted the chief and his officers for continuing to search for alternative funding sources.



"Crime reduction continues to be a top priority and these efforts aid in not only reducing traffic crashes but also serving as a deterrent to individuals who may be inclined to commit other crimes," Walters said. "We are grateful that we were selected as we strive to eliminate the crashes that lead to severe injuries and fatalities in our community. This is the third straight year that the department has received this grant."



Davis applied for the first year’s grant and Capt. Steve Guldeman has since been responsible for completing the grant application.



Davis said enforcement actions will begin later this month, adding patrol officers will sign up for the overtime enforcement duty.



"It is a great help to be able to put more people on the road without impacting our budget," Davis said. "This creates a safer environment for our community."



ttroglen@recordpub.com



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