Troy PD gets IDOT grant for traffic safety

By Devese “Dee” Ursery, Reporter

Troy Police recently received a grant through the Illinois Department of Transportation geared to help improve safety on local roadways. 

The Sustained Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP)  grant in the amount of $40,740 will assist the department in conducting additional traffic safety efforts. The STEP program focuses on high-visibility enforcement strategies aimed at saving lives and preventing injuries by reducing traffic crashes. 

“The grant money will be used to hire additional officers to work traffic enforcement details ,” Christopher Wasser, assistant chief said.  “During the details officers will focus their enforcement on impaired driving, seat belt, cell phone, and speeding violations.”

Troy police was awarded the grant in Sept. 2022, and has received the grant since 2010. During the STEP grant year, which runs from Oct. 1, 2022 through Sept. 30, 2023, Troy police will conduct additional enforcement efforts to complement mandatory and optional campaign enforcement dates scheduled during some of the deadliest times of the year.

According to the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration June through November are the deadliest months for crashes and most of the fatal crashes happen between 6 and 9 p.m.

“The goal of the program is to limit the fatal and serious injury crashes within the city limits of Troy,” Wasser said.