Menifee Police Receive $160K Grant For Traffic Enforcement, Safety Education

MENIFEE, CA — The Menifee Police Department received a $160,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety to expand traffic enforcement and education programs aimed at reducing serious injuries and deaths on local roads, the agency announced on Tuesday.

The grant-funded program will run through September 2027 and support efforts to prevent crashes and address dangerous driving behaviors, according to the Menifee Police Department.

"We are grateful to receive this grant, which will strengthen our traffic enforcement efforts and improve road safety," Menifee police Sgt. Dan Beare said in a statement.

The funding will support driving under the influence checkpoints and patrols targeting suspected impaired drivers, as well as high-visibility enforcement operations aimed at drivers who violate California’s hands-free cell phone law, police said.

Officers also will conduct enforcement operations focused on behaviors that endanger pedestrians and bicyclists, along with violations commonly associated with crashes, including speeding, failure to yield, running stop signs or red lights, and improper turns or lane changes.

The grant will fund community presentations on traffic safety topics, including distracted driving, impaired driving, speeding, and bicycle and pedestrian safety. The department also plans to collaborate with neighboring law enforcement agencies.

Additional funding will support officer training and recertification in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement and Drug Recognition Expert programs.

California Office of Traffic Safety Director Stephanie Dougherty said focused enforcement and education can help promote safer driving habits across the state.

"By encouraging people to prioritize safety in their daily choices, we are creating a strong road safety culture together," Dougherty said.

The grant is funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.