As of Oct. 1, 2017, the Siloam Springs Police Department is again committed to the continued participation in the Arkansas Highway Safety Office's Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grant. This program is federally funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and is administered by the State. The program provides funding for law enforcement agencies to conduct Public Information and Education programs, directed enforcement including State and National DWI/DUI, Seat Belt and Speed enforcement mobilizations and funding for child safety seat clinics and loaner programs.
Participation in the STEP program is an integral part of the police department's overall traffic safety strategy and commitment to reduce injury, alcohol and speed related crashes, and promote the safety for the driving, bicycling and walking public.
Between Oct. 1, 2017, and Sept. 30, 2018, the department will conduct ongoing monthly STEP activities for seat belt, speed and DWI/DUI enforcement and will participate in the following mobilization periods:
• State Thanksgiving Seat Belt Mobilization: Nov. 20 - 26, 2017
• National Winter DWI Mobilization: Dec. 13, 2017 - Jan. 1, 2018
• National Memorial Day Seat Belt Mobilization: May 21 -- June 3, 2018
• State 4th of July DWI Mobilization: June 30 -- July 4, 2018
• Regional Speed Mobilization -- TBD, tentatively July 20 -- July 22, 2018
• National Labor Day DWI Mobilization: Aug. 18 -- Sept. 4, 2018
During the STEP Grant period in fiscal year 2017, the department saw a 47% decrease in alcohol- and drug-related accidents and a 66% decrease in speed-related crashes as compared to the 2014 baseline year. In addition to a reduction of alcohol- and speed-related crashes, officers working STEP assignments effected multiple fugitive, warrant, felony and narcotics arrests, and conducted child safety seat clinics and public information and education programs at community events.
As part of the STEP program, the department provides a Child Safety Seat loaner program for those in need and has four officers certified as Child Safety Seat technicians who can inspect and install Child Safety Seats. To make an appointment for a Child Safety Seat inspection or to obtain a loaner seat please contact Lt. Derek Spicer at 479-524-4118.
General News on 10/15/2017