TITLE
Recommendation to request report from City Manager on the traffic enforcement programs and staffing levels for the Motor Patrol Bureau.
DISCUSSION
One of the major issues facing the City of Long Beach today is the concern regarding traffic safety and its impacts to our neighborhoods. The effects of increased traffic volumes and increased speeds on arterials streets and thorough fares have a severe impact on our neighborhoods. Traffic fatalities have
occurred in both the residential and commercial corridors of the City, with one street in the 7* District experiencing 14,000 vehicles a day and twice the state average of accidents for the street its size. These fatalities and traffic violations are essentially a “broken window” that threatens the quality of life in our neighborhoods and undermines law enforcement efforts throughout the City.
Effective traffic safety programs involve a coordinated effort between the Public Works Traffic and Transportation Bureau and the Police Department’s Patrol Bureau. While these two Bureaus are working cooperatively to improve traffic safety, it was brought to my attention, at a recent community meeting, that there are fewer than twenty motor patrol officers with the primary responsibility of traffic enforcement. The Motor Patrol Bureau is extremely popular with residents and their services are critical to protecting our City.
I would like to request a report from the City Manager on the Police Department‘s strategy for enhancing traffic safety throughout the City. I would also request that the report include information on the staffing levels and role, including a brief history of, the Motor Patrol Bureau and any efforts to increase
the number of officers assigned to the bureau.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
[Timing Considerations]
FISCAL IMPACT
[Fiscal Impact]
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
[Enter Body Here]
Respectfully Submitted,
[Respectfully Submitted,]