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Tallahassee Police Department
Community Traffic Watch
"Watching Out for One Another"
Introduction and Background
Community policing in the City of Tallahassee is a proactive initiative to maintain and improve the essential standards of comfort and safety for all citizens. The focus of this program is to establish a close relationship between the Tallahassee Police Department and citizens, in order to solve problems in our community.
Citizens consistently name traffic violations as a major community policing concern in neighborhoods. Active, visible traffic enforcement sends a strong deterrent message that reduces the incidence of aggressive driving and road rage and keeps the streets safer for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
Dangerous driving behaviors are becoming more common on crowded roads and causing concern for citizens, safety advocates and law enforcement. Traffic fatalities and serious personal injuries from crashes are increasing, and Tallahassee is ranked first for speed-related fatalities and serious injury crashes in Florida (per population over 200,000). In Leon County, drivers ages 15 to 24 have higher traffic crashes than any other county in Florida.
Education, enforcement, and observation are key factors in reducing traffic fatalities and injuries. To build and sustain local support for a new traffic safety program, TPD recognized the importance of having a task force of citizens, businesses, and others to have input into program planning and implementation activities. Based on this need, the Community Traffic Watch program was developed.
History
The Community Traffic Watch program was originated on June 10, 2003, as a partnership between the Tallahassee Police Department and graduates of its Citizens’ Police Academy. The program’s objective is to enhance the collective safety and general welfare of all people in the City of Tallahassee through the reduction of unsafe driving and recognition of safe practices. Community Traffic Watch is a non-confrontational, observation program. The adoption of a logo and a motto of "Watching Out for One Another" is affirmation of a commitment to make our community a safe place to live, work, and play.
Officers from TPD’s Traffic Unit initiated this new program for aggressive driving enforcement that advocates a strong public awareness campaign to ensure overall effectiveness. The organization of a task force to develop strategies and activities to support enforcement efforts was paramount for recognizing that the success of the program would be dependent upon a strong partnership of citizens and businesses within the community.
The Tallahassee Police Department has the responsibility to enforce Florida Statutes and City Ordinances of Tallahassee for safety and public order. Traffic law enforcement is one of the primary duties of police officers patrolling the streets. At the same time, it is recognized that officers alone cannot identify every violation and take enforcement action. The incorporation of citizens to assist in observation of traffic behaviors is an effective way to help officers maintain and improve public safety.
The vision of the program encompasses a unique, two-pronged strategy for promoting traffic safety. As well as observation of traffic violations, recognizing safe and courteous driving practices is included as a component of the program.
Participation Requirements
The program was founded on the premise that citizens may assist law enforcement in their efforts to observe and report traffic violations and reward good driving practices. Persons selected as Community Traffic Watch volunteers must have no history of criminal activity or crimes of moral turpitude. A volunteer is a non-compensated individual who offers his/her services and serves "at the will" of the Chief of Police.
All volunteer candidates must apply to the Tallahassee Police Department’s Employee Relations Office prior to attending training.
Requirements include the following:
* Must be a U.S. citizen
* Must be at least 18 years old
* Free of felony or misdemeanor conviction
* Successful completion of a Community Traffic Watch application form which includes a background investigation
* Reside or be employed in Leon County, Florida
* Commit a minimum of six (6) hours per month
* Must sign a waiver of liability
* Attend all training classes and any future meetings of the CTW, after being duly notified of such meetings
* Abide by all rules and regulations set forth by the Tallahassee Police Department
* Provide your own transportation and insurance
Volunteers must understand that Community Traffic Watch is a non-confrontational, observation program. Participants are trained to observe and report traffic violations and courteous driving activities as outlined by the Tallahassee Police Department.
The integrity of CTW depends on maintaining dependable work ethics and behavior. The Tallahassee Police Department may terminate participation by a volunteer in the program for any reason.
Training Requirements
CTW volunteers will receive approximately three hours of training on applicable ordinances and Florida Statutes to properly document aggressive driving, courteous driving, red light running, and seat belt/child restraint violations. Other items covered will include Traffic Court, community contact, ethics, conduct, and general safety. The length of the actual instruction may vary, depending on the time necessary for each participant in the class to obtain efficiency of tasks. Additional training will be provided as needed.
Training Objectives
Following completion of training requirements, each volunteer should meet the following objectives:
* Know the rules and regulations for speeding, tailgating, running stop signs and red lights, work zones, improper passing and improper lane changing
* Know the definition of aggressive driving and signs for identification
* Identify correct pavement markings
* Identify defective or missing signs or lights
* Identify distractions that can be hazardous for driving, e.g., cell phones
* Identify items to be observed in Traffic Court
* Identify courteous driving practices
* Be able to complete a form for traffic violations
* Be able to complete a form for courteous driving
* Understand the requirements, expectations, and guidelines for participation in the CTW program
* Recognize general risks associated with participation in the program
* Understand safety requirements for the program
* Understand procedures for obtaining business support for program
If you want to participate in this program or just learn more about it, please contact the Tallahassee Police Department’s Traffic Unit at (850) 891-4450 or visit their Web page
here.
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