Full Notification

MEDIA RELEASE / COMMUNITY ALERT
CITY of SAN MATEO POLICE DEPARTMENT
200 Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, CA 94403
www.cityofsanmateo.org
SMPD Public Safety Announcement – Our Commitment to Safer Streets

The San Mateo Police Department would like to take this opportunity to remind our community that keeping our roadways safe for drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians alike is not only one of our primary goals as your police officers, but it is also a goal that cannot ever be reached without the same undaunted commitment from our community as a whole. If we do not work collaboratively to meet that goal, the consequences can be deadly.

It is imperative that we make every effort to share the roadway as we travel together through our community, whether we are behind a steering wheel, atop a motorcycle, pedaling a bike, or simply walking along the street. However we choose to travel, it is our responsibility to be constantly aware of our surroundings, watching out for potential hazards, checking our blind spots, looking both directions, and being proactive to ensure not only our safety, but the safety of those around us. Never rely on or take for granted that others are looking out for us, but instead we must always be looking out for them. And don’t forget: a properly fit bike helmet worn by you and your loved ones can serve to protect some of your most precious assets.

SMPD partners year round with the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), conducting proactive traffic enforcement operations, including targeted traffic enforcement for both automobile and pedestrian violations, DUI’s, and repeated offender detection efforts. Furthermore, these efforts include proactively patrolling our streets, specifically enforcing roadway violations that lead to injury collisions, such as speeding, unsafe turns, and right of way violations. The SMPD Traffic Division takes roadway safety truly to heart and takes every opportunity to educate the public, both young and old, about safe driving practices and how to make our neighborhood streets safer. SMPD also continues to partner with other Peninsula law enforcement agencies to conduct similar proactive traffic details throughout the county on a monthly basis because we know traffic safety must extend beyond our city borders with so many out of town drivers visiting our city on a daily basis.

As a testament to our commitment to safer neighborhood streets, Chief Susan Manheimer and the entire SMPD staff is pleased to announce that the City of San Mateo has just been awarded an additional grant from OTS for $101,000 to continue these targeted enforcement efforts as well as allow SMPD to staff additional officers during these operations, including distracted driving and traffic enforcement details, DUI patrols and checkpoints, and repeat DUI offender operations. SMPD officers will also continue to conduct community forums for our youth and the elderly, statistically the most vulnerable populations when it comes to traffic safety, while the SMPD Traffic Division will continue to collaborate with the City of San Mateo Public Works Department on building and maintaining safer, “Sustainable Streets,” which includes focusing on the City of San Mateo Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan and the Safe Routes to Schools project.

We thank you as always for your partnership with us in making our roadways safer for you and your loved ones. Our reliance on the community to be our eyes and ears extends beyond suspicious activity or crimes in progress. If you see something, say something. Call SMPD for any traffic safety issues you see, including unsafe drivers, motorcyclists, bicyclists, or pedestrians who’s behavior or actions contradict our community partnership in achieving safer streets. For emergencies, please call 911 or for non- emergencies, please contact SMPD at (650)522-7700. For questions, comments, or concerns about roadway safety please contact SMPD and ask for the SMPD Traffic Division.

Thank you and please remember: whether you choose to drive, ride, pedal, or stride…do so safely.


To view the City of San Mateo Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan:
http://www.cityofsanmateo.org/index.aspx?NID=2527

To learn more about the City of San Mateo Sustainable Streets Project:
http://sustainablestreetssanmateo.com/

San Mateo County Safe Routes to School (SRTS):
http://www.smcoe.org/learning-and-leadership/safe-and-supportive-schools/safe-routes-to-school-(sr2s)/

How to Properly Fit Your Bike Helmet:
http://www.smcoe.org/learning-and-leadership/student-health-and-wellness/safe-routes-to-school/safety-resources/helmet-safety.html

MAKE YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SAFER
Please help us make your neighborhood safer and take a stand against crime. Please report all criminal behavior, join a Neighborhood Watch program, and help anyone who might fall victim to a crime. If a Neighborhood Watch doesn’t exist on your block, you can start one with help from SMPD. For additional information about the City of San Mateo Neighborhood Watch Program, call SMPD Community Services at (650)522-7626 or visit our web www.cityofsanmateo.org

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Sgt. Rick Decker
San Mateo Police Department
Support Services & Media Relations
(650) 522-7626