Dozens of extra police patrolled Moose Jaw’s streets recently as part of an enhanced traffic enforcement program, and while data hasn’t been finalized, the police chief considered the operation a success.
“Anecdotally, I heard that you couldn’t turn a corner without running into a police vehicle that week,” laughed Rick Bourassa while speaking with reporters recently.
The Moose Jaw Police Service worked with officers from several jurisdictions and agencies on July 6 and 7 as part of a Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) blitz in various locations around the community.
Enforcement activities focused on offences related to speeding, distracted driving, seat belt use, unlicensed drivers and commercial vehicle standards. Impaired driving enforcement was also a top priority throughout the blitz.
The multi-agency task force included municipal police agencies, the RCMP, Saskatchewan Highway Patrol, Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Police, and representatives from SGI and the ministries of Justice and Finance.
It’s always a good opportunity to have officers highly visible and remind motorists about the rules of the road and related safety aspects. This program also promotes a positive traffic safety message for a short time in a noticeable way.
Moose Jaw police had many opportunities to interact with officers from the different agencies during the blitz, although local members usually have regular chances to speak with their traffic counterparts at other events around the province, he continued.
“… They get to (network) and make some really good connections. That way, it makes it a lot easier when they have a question (and) they can reach out to somebody else,” Bourassa stated. “Yeah, it really brings value.”
The officers from the outside agencies had the chance to use the MJPS headquarters for business if required, but because there were so many of them, they had a meeting room booked at a hotel, he added. Besides their meals at the hotel, it was also their gathering point and base of operations.
The next Board of Police Commissioners meeting is Thursday, Aug. 18.
