Document text
Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend July 4, 2005 Sheriff boosts traffic enforcement efforts More deputies writing more citations aids traffic safety and boosts the effort’s revenue By SARAH LEMON Mail Tribune Writing more traffic tickets is the focus for a larger group of Jackson County sheriff’s deputies. The sheriff’s department’s traffic team is running at full capacity after about a year of operating short-staffed. The division’s four deputies plan to write about 10 to 15 tickets each per shift, said sheriff’s Sgt. Dace Cochran. In addition to using radar to check vehicle speeds, officers will target pedestrian safety and patrol areas that typically produce complaints, Cochran said. "That’s the only way a lot of people learn, unfortunately, is by getting slapped in the pocketbooks," Cochran said. County commissioners approved expanding the traffic team last year along with creating a new court to handle its citations on the premise that traffic fines would completely fund the two entities. Sheriff Mike Winters said he lobbied for the plan because the county had seen a sharp jump in traffic-related deaths in 2003. Traffic fatalities around the county have decreased from 17 through June 2004 to 12 through June this year, according to sheriff’s department statistics. The traffic team has written about 2,500 tickets this year, Cochran said. Advertisement Fines, however, have failed to pay for the traffic team and the Southern Justice Court, which combined, have cost the county more than $200,000, said Harvey Bragg, director of county fiscal planning and facilities. The county’s general fund must make up that gap, Bragg said. The sheriff’s department traffic team spent $453,000 last fiscal year while earning only $263,055, Bragg said. The justice court posted $109,646 in revenue for the year compared with $836,000 in revenue that was projected. Outfitting the Southern Justice Court, located in Central Point, cost nearly $175,000 for remodeling, furnishings and computers, Bragg said. More remodeling is anticipated to bring the Oak Street building into compliance with city codes for maximum capacity and fire exits, Bragg said. The court’s delayed opening contributed to the shortfall, Bragg said. The new court opened in December, about six months behind schedule. The sheriff’s department put its fourth and final traffic deputy on patrol June 1. "I think everybody’s disappointed in how long it’s taken," Bragg said. Yet Winters said he believes the traffic team’s revenue would soon be on target. Combined revenue for the traffic team and Justice Court during this fiscal year is estimated at $1,025,357 while combined expenses are $875,453. The sheriff, however, has instructed deputies not to hand out tickets for minor infractions, Cochran said. The sergeant said he issued a third of his citations this year to motorists exceeding the speed limit by 11 to 20 mph. Nearly one out of every five traffic stops ends in a warning, Cochran said. "We’re not out here writing cheap tickets just to make a dime," Cochran said. Reach reporter Sarah Lemonat 776-4487, or e-mail Sheriff boosts traffic enforcement efforts ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Computer Security Discount Hotel Reservations Casinos Canada dvd-r Generic Viagra Myspace Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Student Loans Sudoku Online Advertisement s Advertisement