Traffic Safety is considered a critical component to the quality of life in the city. The city’s dense population of 150,000 residents in a small 15 square-mile area has caused congestion on its streets and safety concerns among residents and visitors. Street congestion worsens during morning and evening commutes which often results in serious crashes and fatalities. The City of Alexandria Police Department created the Traffic Safety Section (TSS), which works closely with other city departments and community groups to promote safe travel and to reduce the severity of the traffic issues in the city.

Traffic safety is a priority to this small, rural community and their police department. Comprised mainly of residential neighborhoods close to the downtown business district, residents in Donalsonville have shared their concerns about speeding, running red lights and stop signs, as well as other traffic safety violations that increase the risk to children who play in the streets. DPD officers take pride in making themselves accessible to the residents, building trust and strong relationships.

The five interstates that cross through Harrisonville have raised traffic safety concerns among residents and visitors.  But it was the tragic death of a freshman student who was struck and killed while walking home after the fourth day of his freshman year. The incident led the police chief to create the CARES coalition, a collaboration of city departments, schools, and public safety agencies working together to improve safety throughout the community. The students at Harrisonville High School were also motivated to act, forming a traffic safety club that provides peer-to-peer safety messaging.

Hopkins is a small, but very diverse community just outside of Minneapolis. The police department has focused on being transparent with their community members by educating them on what officers do in the community, why they do it, and local policies, procedures, and state laws. Throughout the year, HPD has made community trust and engagement through public outreach and participation in relationship-building initiatives like Lights On, a grant-funded program that provides vouchers for minor vehicle repairs in lieu of citations.

In 2017, the fast-growing city of Round Rock experienced a significant increase in traffic collisions. As a result, the police department and city government began looking for innovative ways to educate the public on traffic safety, so they turned to social media. The creation of Tom’s Traffic Tips is a novel approach that has resonated with the community. In response to specific safety issues reported by the residents, RRPD produces short videos that address those concerns. With more than 30 episodes, Tom’s Traffic Tips has generated a loyal following on social media, including YouTube and the department’s Facebook page.