Arlington Police Announce Early Results in Proactive Traffic Enforcement Campaign

For Immediate Release
Monday, May 11, 2015

Contact: Captain Richard Flynn, PIO
Office: 781-316-3907
Cell: 781-844-1224
Email: rflynn@town.arlington.ma.us

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Arlington Police Announce Encouraging Early Results in Proactive Traffic Enforcement Campaign

Nearly 300 Traffic Stops Result in 218 Citations and Three Arrests

ARLINGTON – Chief Frederick Ryan is pleased to report that the Arlington Police Department has seen productive early results in its “Operation Safe Streets” enhanced traffic enforcement initiative.

From April 7 through today, Arlington Police have made 281 traffic stops and issued 218 citations. This represents more than a three-fold increase in the usual amount of traffic stops in Arlington.

The citations included:

• 64 Speeding Tickets
• 92 Red Light/Stop Sign Violations
• 9 Impeded Operation Citations
• 57 Crosswalk Violations

“This enhanced traffic enforcement initiative is aimed at proactively enforcing traffic laws with the goal of increasing safety for all who make use of the roadways in town,” Chief Ryan said. “I am encouraged by the work put in by our officers during Operation Safe Streets so far.”

There were also three arrests made as a result result of the increased police presence of Operation Safe Streets:

• On April 7, an officer doing traffic enforcement Operation Safe Streets heard a loud crash and came upon a breaking and entering in progress. He called for backup and arrested a career criminal, who was charged with Breaking and Entering During the Nighttime for a Felony
• On April 14, an officer doing traffic enforcement for Operation Safe Streets stopped a speeding driver who was allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol. The suspect also had illegal drugs and stolen prescriptions on them. They were charged with OUI Liquor, Receiving Stolen Property, and Possession of Class B and D Drugs,
  
• On May 3, an officer doing traffic enforcement for Operation Safe Streets affected a traffic stop of a driver who turned out to have an outstanding warrant for Larceny.

Operation Safe Streets focused on numerous geographical areas within the community. Officers on the streets made regular traffic stops, not only for the purpose of enforcing the traffic laws but also to maintain a highly visible police presence on town roads, serving as a crime deterrent.

“Operation Safe Streets represents the bringing together of several highly effective initiatives that the Arlington Police Department has deployed in the past,” Chief Ryan said. “They are aimed at not just aggressively enforcing the traffic laws but also fostering a culture of safety on Arlington roadways.”

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