Benton Police Department is pleased to announce its 21st year of participation in the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grant program.
The STEP program is a grant funded by the federal government enabling officers to work overtime for seatbelt, DWI, speeding and distracted driving enforcement. Enforcement efforts are designed to increase seat belt and child safety seat usage and to apprehend individuals choosing to drive while intoxicated or distracted. Through this program, the department is also awarded money for child safety seats, which are provided to members of the public during emergent situations and installed by BNPD officers.
From October 2018 to September 2019, BNPD officers worked a total of 335.75 hours through the STEP grant program: 89.5 hours of seatbelt enforcement, 123.5 hours of DWI enforcement, 110.25 hours of speed enforcement and 12.5 hours for distracted driving.
In addition to regular enforcement efforts, BNPD will participate in state and federal mobilizations during the Thanksgiving holiday, a winter mobilization in December, Memorial Day holiday, July 4th holiday and Labor Day holiday.
The STEP program is funded through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. For more information, visit www.nhtsa.gov.