Peninsula Officers Make 235+ Traffic Stops in One-Day Safety Operation

More than 235 traffic stops were conducted and 214 citations issued in a one-day traffic safety operation in San Mateo County this week, it was announced Thursday.

According to Corporal Brett Murphy of the Burlingame Police Department, the operation was held all day Wednesday, and ”... focused on traffic education and enforcement in the city of San Carlos, as well as speed enforcement on Interstate 280 in San Mateo County.”

There were 23 traffic officers from various law enforcement agencies in San Mateo County assigned to Wednesday’s operation, which was a part of an ongoing initiative known as the San Mateo County Saturation Traffic Enforcement Program, or S.T.E.P. It was the twelfth such operation this year.

“Despite the inclement weather, officers made in excess of 235 stops in the two areas and issued 214 citations,” Murphy said in a press release.

Of those 214 tickets, most of them were broken down as follows:

• 132 were for unsafe speed
• 16 were for texting and cell phone violations
• 16 were for unsafe turning movements
• 13 were for red light violations, and
• 9 were for seat belt violations
• 7 drivers for not being licensed
• 1 driver for having a suspended license

“The participating officers remained committed to making a high volume of traffic stops in this coordinated saturation, while maintaining the highest levels of community awareness and professionalism,” Murphy said. “The number of stops and citations during this most recent deployment reflect a sustained enthusiasm for this program and traffic safety on the Peninsula.”

Murphy said that Peninsula residents can expect to see these sorts of operation continue through 2015.

Agencies Participating in San Mateo County S.T.E.P:

San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office, California Highway Patrol, Belmont PD, Burlingame PD, Colma PD, Daly City PD, East Palo Alto PD, Foster City PD, Hillsborough PD, Menlo Park PD, SMSO Millbrae Bureau, SMSO San Carlos Bureau, Pacifica PD, Redwood City PD, San Bruno PD, San Mateo PD, South San Francisco PD.

(Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone)