The El Cajon Police Department has secured $83,000 in state funding to support traffic safety initiatives aimed at reducing serious crashes, injuries, and fatalities on local roadways.
The funding comes from the California Office of Traffic Safety and will support a multi-year program running through September 2027. According to Sgt. Brian Ehlers of the El Cajon Police Department, the STEP grant provides essential resources for combating hazardous driving practices and the collisions they cause.
Department officials said the money will finance expanded enforcement activities, including sobriety checkpoints and dedicated patrols to identify and stop drivers suspected of operating vehicles while impaired.
California Office of Traffic Safety Director Stephanie Dougherty emphasized that preventing crashes requires addressing high-risk behaviors such as speeding, distracted driving, and impairment. She said the grants help establish a culture of safety through both enforcement and community education.
The California Office of Traffic Safety administers the grant using federal dollars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.