TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Matt Henry, Chief of Police
PREPARED BY: Dawnn Jackson, Management Analyst - Administration
SUBJECT:
title
Acceptance of a Selective Traffic Enforcement Program Grant from the State of California Office of Traffic Safety
end
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Accept a Selective Traffic Enforcement Program Grant Award of $160,000, from the State of California Office of Traffic Safety;
Amend the Fiscal Year 2025/26 Operating Budget to allocate and appropriate the grant funding; and
Authorize the City Manager, and/or their designee, to execute all necessary documents and take actions required to accept, implement, and administer the grant, including ratification of the designees’ execution of the grant agreement.
body
PRIOR ACTION/VOTE
On June 3, 2025, City Council adopted the Fiscal Year 2025/26 and 2026/27 Operating Budget. (Vote: 5-0)
CITY COUNCIL GOAL
Provide a high level of innovative public safety.
DISCUSSION
The Murrieta Police Department was awarded a traffic safety grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The grant began on October 1, 2025, and ends on September 30, 2026, and supports a comprehensive program to reduce traffic collisions through education, enforcement, and outreach.
In 2024, the City of Murrieta (City) recorded 686 traffic crashes. Of these, seven (7) were fatal-linked to unsafe speed, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI), pedestrian violations, and wrong-way driving. Twelve of these crashes resulted in serious injuries from causes such as improper turning, failure to obey traffic signals/signs, DUI, unsafe lane changes, and pedestrian violations. Crashes involving “other visible injury” (100 total) and pain complaints (182 total) were largely caused by unsafe speed, signal/sign violations, improper turning, and right-of-way violations.
A growing concern involves juveniles operating electric bicycles unsafely, resulting in collisions and public complaints. Despite education and enforcement efforts, many juveniles fail to yield during stops, and officers are often unable to pursue them due to safety concerns. The Murrieta Police Department continues to address the issue through community outreach and education.
Grant funds will support these efforts by funding DUI impairment goggles for use in officer training, the Citizens Academy, SFST training, and community events. This grant will fund the purchase of three additional mobile printers, enhancing existing resources. These printers will further streamline the citation process, improve the collection of stop data to support equitable policing, and increase officer availability for proactive enforcement efforts
These strategies aim to enhance traffic safety, reduce collision risks, and improve overall community awareness and compliance.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no local fund match or cost-share requirement for the OTS Selective Traffic Enforcement Program Grant. This is a reimbursable grant, meaning the City must incur the expenditures prior to requesting reimbursement. Staff recommends establishing a revenue and expenditure budget of $160,000, in the OTS Grant Fund (355), with the following details:
• Revenue: GL/JL 3550030-42222
• Expenditure: GL/JL 3550030 (various accounts)
ATTACHMENTS
1. Office of Traffic Safety Grant Agreement - PT26053