COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Branch County Sheriff’s Department has been awarded a federal traffic safety grant to launch targeted traffic enforcement campaigns and increase dedicated patrols across the county.
The funding, provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation and administered through the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP), is specifically earmarked for deputy overtime costs.
Sheriff Fred Blankenship says he grant funding will allow the department to increase its visible presence on Branch County roads, focusing heavily on high-visibility enforcement against speeding, impaired driving, and distracted driving to directly lower local traffic injuries and fatalities.
Blankenship added the grant does come with some specific requirements
Blankenship talked about the grant total and how the money will be spent to increase safety for motorist on Branch County roads
This local grant was just part of a much larger statewide initiative, with the OHSP distributing a total of $5.8 million to various police departments, sheriff’s offices, and safety organizations across Michigan.
Sheriff Blankenship that these grant-funded enforcement blocks ensure that the community benefits from a more consistent police presence without placing an additional financial burden on local taxpayers
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