Florida Law Enforcement Challenge

Safer Streets and Fewer Tickets - Port Orange Police are Champions!

A significant reduction in traffic related crashes, deaths, and alcohol related accidents in 2002 earned statewide recognition for the Port Orange Police Department at the Buckle-Up Florida Special Recognition Awards Banquet held at the A La Carte Pavilion in Tampa on June 20, 2003. The gathering of nearly one thousand traffic safety professionals is the culmination of many months of hard work by traffic safety professionals and law enforcement officers to improve safety on Florida's roadways.

Chief Gerald Monahan Jr. congratulated the members Port Orange Police Department by saying, "This award illustrates the commitment of all Port Orange Police Officers to traffic safety in our community. By emphasizing public awareness and education as part of our overall enforcement strategy, our officers efforts resulted in a significant reduction in vehicle crashes, injuries and deaths which was unsurpassed in the State of Florida." The Florida Law Enforcement Challenge is a statewide competition sponsored by The Florida Department of Transportation in partnership with the Institute of Police Technology and Management. A panel of national experts reviewed the submissions to select the agencies in each category with the best traffic safety programs. The panel reviews several aspects of each program including policies, training, public information and education, enforcement activity, and effectiveness.

The Port Orange Police Department won first place in category three of the Florida Law Enforcement Challenge for two consecutive years, 2000 and 2001. This year, the Challenge staff decided to create a new category comprised of the past winners. Each of the agencies who had won first place the previous year were set apart from the other categories to compete against each other in the "Championship Challenge." The idea of the Championship Category raises the bar for past winners who have already demonstrated excellence in their division. In the Championship Category, smaller agencies are in competition with large metropolitan police departments having many times more officers and considerably greater resources at their disposal. There is no consideration given to the relative size of the agencies. Orange County Sheriff's Department, Lee County Sheriff's Office and Tampa PD are three of the large agencies included in the competition.

The Port Orange Police Department was selected as the first place winners of the Florida Championship Challenge placing ahead of all Law Enforcement Agencies in the Sate of Florida. . Al Roop, (904-620-4768) the Coordinator and Law Enforcement Liaison for the Challenge said that the Port Orange Police Department awards package was hands down the best package, far above and beyond the competition. Roop added that it was amazing that a police department the size of Port Orange would be able to compete so successfully against agencies of far greater is size.

Sgt. Marko Galbreath was the engineer of the traffic plan that realized a dramatic reduction in accidents and fatalities resulting in the award. In 2002, alcohol related crashes were reduced by 30%, fatalities declined by 33%, and there were 16% fewer accidents than the previous year. Currently Seatbelt compliance rates in the City of Port Orange are at an all time high of 92%. Interestingly, these results were not achieved by increasing the number of traffic citations issued. Officers issued 8. 3% fewer citations in 2002 than the previous year. The emphasis on education was an important factor in achieving the excellent compliance rates and improving safety according the Sgt. Galbreath. Officers Charlie Fink, John Jakovenko, Steve Braddock and Chris Besuden formed partnerships with local businesses, schools, community service organizations and other governmental agencies to educate the public and increase safety awareness with a wide range of programs.

Galbreath also credited the outstanding efforts of Officers Henry Crafton, Willie Coco and Eric Fisher who were instrumental in reducing the number of DUI related crashes. These officers lead the department in DUI enforcement in 2002 and will be nominated for the Volusia County M.A.D.D. awards in recognition of their efforts. Galbreath commented that all of the officers in the department worked together to achieve these results. It is a testimony to the great relationship that we have with our citizens and the commitment that our community has to being safe on the streets.

Buckle Up Florida Honors Agencies and Individuals for Commitment to Traffic Safety

Law Enforcement agencies, traffic safety teams and outstanding individuals from across the state were honored June 22, 2002 in Kissimmee for their dedication to and support of occupant protection and traffic enforcement. Members of the Buckle Up Florida Law Enforcement Liaison (LEL) Program hosted the awards banquet, which paid tribute to those who went above and beyond to save lives and prevent injuries on Florida's roadways.

Two types of awards were presented. The Occupant Protection Safety Awards spotlighted individuals for their contributions to traffic safety issues. The Law Enforcement Challenge had Florida's law enforcement agencies and traffic safety organizations compete against others of similar size regarding innovative traffic education and safety programs implemented in 2000. Dozens of applications were sent in by agencies that wanted to take home part of nearly $300,000 in traffic safety equipment, including police motorcycles, speed radar trailers, in-car video systems and laser speed measurement units, to name a few.