Eureka PD conducts 133 traffic stops along “Safety Corridor” in 2 month period

EUREKA, Ca. (KIEM) – In an effort to reduce the number of traffic collisions along the Eureka-Arcata safety corridor. The Eureka Police Department recently put new traffic safety operation into place.

Typically, this portion of highway 101 is patrolled by the California Highway Patrol, but since November 1st, Eureka Police have used grant funding from the Humboldt County Association of Governments, to pay officers overtime cost for more patrols.

A Portion of the results show 179 hours of overtime resulted in 133 traffic stops, and 64 speeding citations, as well as 70 warnings this all, within a two month period. Captain Brian Stephen believes the extra patrols are necessary, until people realize the severity of speeding in the Safety Corridor.

Press Release Provided by Eureka Police Department:

In October 2018, the Humboldt County Association of Governments (HCAOG) and the Eureka Police Department executed an agreement for supplemental patrols on the 101 Eureka-Arcata Safety Corridor to improve safety and reduce collisions.

The initial term of the contract is from November 1, 2018 through October 31, 2019. The contract will be considered for renewal on an annual basis. HCAOG is providing funding so EPD Officers can work on a voluntary overtime basis focusing on education and enforcement of traffic violations that cause, or contribute to the cause of traffic collisions without adversely impacting daily police staffing levels or the level of service provided to the community.

Beginning on the first, special traffic safety operation sign-ups were posted for the entire month of November 2018 resulting in the following activity initiated by EPD officers:

 30 operations worked equaling 179 hours

 2,424 miles logged patrolling the corridor

 133 traffic stops conducted

 64 citations issued (51 for speeding with several 70 MPH and many 65+ MPH tickets in the 50 MPH safety corridor zone)

 70 warnings issued

 1 person stopped was arrested for failing to register as a sex offender

 1 person was cited for driving without a driver’s license