Hundreds of thousands in state funding is headed to Glendale to help pay for pedestrian education and distracted driving enforcement, officials announced this week.
The Glendale Police Department received $377,550 in grants this week from the California Office of Traffic Safety to fund enforcement efforts and lower the number of alcohol or drug-related incidents on the road.
Police Chief Ron De Pompa this week said DUI-related traffic collisions and overall traffic safety have been areas of focus for the department.
“Traffic safety is the No.1 concern in this community,” he said Wednesday.
At least 300 law enforcement agencies apply for the grants, but only about half receiving funding, said Chris Cochran, spokesman for the California Office of Traffic Safety.
This year, the agency awarded $77 million in traffic safety grants to state and local agencies.
Burbank also received a state grant for $31,500 to fund DUI checkpoints.
“There are a lot of people competing to get the same pot of money,” Cochran said.