Bolstered Pflugerville PD Patrol Nets Nearly 100 Citations

PFLUGERVILLE, TEXAS — The Pflugerville Police Department on Thursday released the results of bolstered patrolling of neighborhood streets during spring break to curb impaired driving on city streets, revealing that nearly 100 citations were issued during the enforcement period.

The Spring Break Strategic Training Encouraging Partnership (STEP) traffic enforcement initiative was conducted during March 15-25 during a period known in the vernacular as Spring Break. Funded with grant money, the initiative marked the first year the police force has participated in the STEP program, officials noted.

All told, there were 277 stops during the STEP period of enforcement resulting in 96 citations and 105 warnings. There were 47 stops with 2 citations for car safety seat violations, 42 for speed, 4 for intersection traffic control violations, 5 hazardous moving violations, 75 other violations and 12 arrests, officials said.

“As part of the initiative, our patrol shifts were encouraged to increase enforcement efforts and watch for impaired drivers and unsafe driving practices,” Lt. Makeba Lewis said. "Like several departments statewide, we partnered with the Texas Department of Public Transportation’s (TXDOT) Strategic Training Encouraging Partnerships (STEP) initiative and issued warnings and citations when necessary to raise awareness and encourage safe driving.”

The Pflugerville Police Department traffic enforcement initiative’s goal was to reduce unsafe driving habits including distracted driving, texting and driving, and drunk driving, officials said. Ahead of the enforcement, police ran a series of public events, reminders, Facebook LIVE presentations and interactions with the community.

The traffic campaign kicked off in earnest on Thursday, March 14, with a Facebook Live presentation featuring Chief Jessica Robledo and an interview with Lt. Lewis offering traffic tips and reminders for everyone on how to stay safe over Spring Break.

"The Department posted regular social media posts to remind the public of traffic enforcement and the law," officials said in a press advisory. "The traffic division focuses on holiday weeks and weekends to remind drivers and the community to play it safe."

The next STEP enforcement initiative is scheduled for Memorial Day weekend in conjunction with the TXDOT Click it or Ticket campaign to heighten awareness of the importance of wearing a seat belt, according to the police department.