Item:
Title
BOCC approval of the FY 2021 Governor’s Highway Safety Program (GHSP) Grant Application
Body
Date of BOCC Meeting: September 14, 2020
Request for Board Action:
Agenda Text
The Board is requested to review and approve the Sheriff’s Office application for the FY 2021 Governor’s Highway Safety Program (GHSP) Grant in the amount of $25,000 that is dedicated to fund accrued overtime hours for officers working the traffic enforcement program.
The Governor’s Highway Safety Program helps fund efforts of law enforcement agencies to reduce traffic crashes in North Carolina. In terms of traffic related outcomes, Durham County is ranked within North Carolina for the following categories;
• 12th Highest In Overall Fatalities
• 7th Highest In Alcohol Fatalities
• 12th Highest in Unrestrained Fatalities
• 10th Highest In Speed Related Fatalities
The following goals have been identified for this program;
• Reduce the number of traffic fatalities in Durham County by 25% from the 2014-2018 average of 27 fatalities per year to less than 21 fatalities during FY 2020-2021.
• To reduce the number of alcohol-related crashes by 10% from the 2014-2018 average of 283 crashes per year to less than 255 crashes from October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021.
• To reduce the number of speed related crashes by 15% from the 2014-2018 average of 547.8 crashes per year to less than 465 crashes from October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021.
For these reasons, and the initiative that Durham County Sheriff’s Office has shown while participating in the GHSP, the initial application phase was approved by GHSP on July 8, 2020. The next phase in the application requires approval from the BOCC and a signed Local Government Resolution by Chair of the Board. GSHP will present award letters to participating agencies by October 1, 2020. If awarded, the Sheriff’s Office will return before the BOCC for the acceptance and appropriation of funds at that time.
Alignment with Strategic Plan: This item aligns with the County’s Strategic Goal 3: Safe Community
Resource Persons: David LaBarre, Director Planning & Development, Durham County Sheriff's Office; Keith Webster, Patrol Division Captain, Durham County Sheriff's Office.
County Manager’s Recommendation: The County Manager recommends that the Board review and approve the Sheriff’s Office application for the FY 2021 Governor’s Highway Safety Program (GHSP) Grant in the amount of $25,000 that is dedicated to fund accrued overtime hours for officers working the traffic enforcement program.
Signature
County Manager: ____________________________