ELYRIA POLICE DEPARTMENT RECEIVES GOLD SAFETY AWARD

EPD Captain Phil Hammonds, Superintendent of Communications Larry Showalter, EPD Chief Duane Whitely,  Mayor Holly C. Brinda, Superintendent of Street Dept. Scott Payne, and City of Elyria Engineer Tim Ujvari

Please join me in congratulating the Elyria Police Department (EPD) for being at the top of their game.  Not only are they sweeping the City in an unprecedented crime-fighting effort to rid us of the drug dealers hurting our citizens and the region, but they’ve also found the time to win a major award! 

Last Wednesday the Elyria Police Department (EPD) received the Gold Award from the American Automobile Association (AAA) for its efforts to reduce the number of traffic accidents in the city.  Elyria was one of only nine law enforcement divisions across Northeast Ohio to earn the coveted award.  Accepting the accolade for the department were Chief Duane Whitely and Captain Phil Hammond, who heads the department’s service division and serves as the chief traffic investigator. 

Chief Whitely said they did many things to improve safety in the city, but one of the most significant contributors to the improvements has been an increase in teamwork across city departments that helps create a holistic approach to safety.  “This is a team effort award,” said Whitely.  “We could not have done it without the support of the Engineering Department, the Street Department, the Communications Department and the support of the administration.” 

A prime example was when officers noticed wet pavement at some of Elyria’s heaviest traveled intersections was contributing to drivers who couldn’t stop.  Sharing that accident information at a staff meeting lead the Engineering Department to diamond cut (rough the pavement) the intersections of East Broad Street and State Route 57, Cleveland Street and State Route 57 and Taylor Street and State Route 57.  The accident rate dipped immediately.  Captain Hammond said “the key if the three E’s: engineering, enforcement and education.”    

Other joint departmental improvements have included repainting crosswalks and installing new illuminated crosswalks in the downtown area; completing a thoroughfare plan to improve traffic flow, improving standardized street signage, and installing back plates on signals.    

Increased enforcement with the support of an OVI High Visibility Grant also allowed officers to reduce alcohol and other substance abuse related accidents through blitz patrols, increased sobriety check points, saturation patrols that focus on OVI’s, and increased monitoring of seat belt usage, and speed and other traffic offenses.  The EPD also participates in underage drinking undercover operations targeting illegal sales of alcohol in local businesses through a county-wide task force.  

Public education is also a critical component for increasing safety.  The EPD regularly reviews fatal accidents through the Safety Communities Quarterly Fatal Review Board to determine what could be better addressed to have prevented these accidents from occurring.  Increased media and public attention through signage, banners, press releases and events have been used to promote traffic safety messages.  Training through the Safety Service Office has also increased to better train employees on work zones and accident safety.  And of course you start too early.  With one of the oldest Safety Town programs in the country, early education of Elyria’s youngest citizens can’t start too soon. 

I am so very proud of the leadership being demonstrated by our Police Department and the team work of all of our departments to make Elyria a safer community.  It’s those collective conversations that led to this award.