All can benefit from paramount safety in Baldwinsville thanks to the efforts of the Baldwinsville Police Department.
The BPD stepped it up a notch this year by earning a Platinum Award from the American Automobile Association’s Community Traffic Safety Program.
This award recognizes the BPD’s effort to continuously improve traffic safety in the Baldwinsville area and is the most prestigious award given nationwide.
“This is not something that most municipalities are able to achieve, so we are very happy,” said Police Lieutenant Michael Lefanchek.
The BPD partakes in numerous programs, which all contribute to improve safety conditions in the village. This year, the department participated in eight different programs that were reported to AAA. Some of the programs included Stop DWI, Buckle Up NY, Campaign Safe and Sober, Strategic Traffic Enforcement Program and a traffic safety program. The STEP program places patrols strategically in areas where people statistically drive faster. The traffic safety program uses grant money to target aggressive driving and reduce the rate of accidents.
In addition, AAA checks statistics such as accidents, traffic tickets issued and pedestrian and bicycle injuries to determine the level of the award. The improvement and/or construction of trail ways throughout the area also contributed to the overall safety of the village.
Since the department enrolled into the program seven years ago, it has earned two silver awards and four gold awards respectively. The department will receive the honor at the Onondaga County Traffic Safety Board’s annual awards ceremony to be held Jan. 9 at The Marx Hotel & Conference Center.
