The Snellville Police Department received a $209,816.76 grant from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety in October, 2020. The funds were designated to help establish and support the SPD Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic Unit.
“We are grateful for the grant and the opportunity it provides to reduce accidents, injuries and fatalities keeping our roadways safe,” said Chief Roy Whitehead.
Halfway through the grant period, SPD HEAT has been hard at work.
Two officers are designated as HEAT officers and they focus on reducing injuries and fatalities from traffic accidents through education and enforcement efforts. In the course of its duties, the SPD HEAT unit has participated in 13 educational events for the community, 12 joint operations with other agencies and one statewide Thunder Task Force mobilization. The HEAT officers have completed training for child protective seat inspection and installation and worked four events to ensure child safety seats are being properly installed and used. One of the HEAT officers has completed a 160-hour course of instruction to become a Drug Recognition Expert, which is an advanced certification to recognize drug impairment in drivers.
The SPD HEAT unit has conducted 142 investigations of suspected impaired drivers. They have stopped 267 violators for child safety seat and seatbelt violations. They have also stopped 985 violators for speeding in identified hot spot locations.
The SPD HEAT unit will continue its efforts through the remainder of the year and beyond. They will continue to focus on violations related to impaired driving, occupant protection, and speeding to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities caused by traffic accidents. The HEAT unit will also continue to participate in educational events and multi-agency efforts to keep our highways safe.