NEWS RELEASE

HUNTSVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT

815 Wheeler Ave.

Huntsville, Alabama  35801

HPD Strengthens Traffic Enforcement Units
 

Huntsville, Alabama (January 9, 2009) Chief Henry Reyes announced today that the Police Department will be implementing a second Traffic Services Unit to the Special Operations Division effective Monday, January 12, that  will consist of seven officers and one supervisor.  Chief Reyes says that the department implemented a Traffic Crash Reduction Program in 2005 in an effort to reduce the number of automobile accidents with fatalities and serious injuries.  Focused efforts to reduce accidents continue resulting in a 27% reduction of accidents and a 42% reduction of fatalities over the past two years.  This second traffic enforcement unit will compliment current strategic enforcement plans already in place to calm traffic in specific “Hot Spot” locations due to repeated accidents. Additionally, this unit will be able to work later hours providing a critical enforcement need in school zones and during the early evening hours.    

Sergeant Joe Jenkins a fifteen year veteran with the department has been selected to supervise this new unit and the seven officers who were selected to handle these specific assignments. “Sgt. Jenkins was formerly assigned to 2^nd shift in the West Precinct and is well prepared to meet the challenges associated with the growth and increased traffic our roadways are now experiencing” added Reyes.

TSU officers have a primary mission for city wide traffic enforcement, special events and other traffic related services. Chief Reyes states that this specialized unit will strengthen current traffic enforcement capabilities and enhance our efforts to provide quality city-wide services to the community.