July 11, 2008

 

Dear Chief of Police:

The Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) is soliciting applications from law enforcement agencies to implement the “Next Generation - Click It or Ticket” (Next Generation CIOT) seat belt enforcement mini-grant program.  The Next Generation program will include two well publicized seat belt enforcement mobilizations in November 17-30, 2008, and May 18-31, 2009, and promotes sustained enforcement by including one to four days and/or nights of intensified seat belt enforcement each month.

Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis, with the goal of including local law enforcement agencies representing at least 50 percent of California’s population or serving geographic subdivisions that account for at least 50 percent of California’s unbelted fatal vehicle occupants.

The mini-grants offset overtime and reporting costs for seat belt enforcement conducted during the two mobilization periods and sustained enforcement throughout the year.  Local law enforcement agencies, state college and university police departments, and Sheriffs’ Departments with contract cities (agreements are made with each individual contract city) are eligible to apply for a mini-grant.

The Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) contracts with the University of California, Berkeley, Traffic Safety Center (TSC) to manage the application, contract, reporting and financial processes for the mini grant program.  All funding decisions will be made with OTS approval.  To apply for a Next Generation CIOT mini-grant, please visit the TSC website at http://www.tsc.berkeley.edu/seatbeltminigrants/2008_2009ciot.html.

Mini-Grant Applications will be accepted through August 7, 2008

The Next Generation CIOT goal is to increase seat belt use statewide to 95 percent in 2009 through the combined efforts of the California Highway Patrol (CHP), OTS and local law enforcement.  The Next Generation CIOT strategy is to focus public information and enforcement on persons who fail to use seat belts during the November 2008 and May 2009 Next Generation National Mobilizations and promote sustained enforcement throughout the year.  OTS will coordinate the public information element of the campaign for one week prior to, and during the November and May enforcement mobilization periods.

If you have any questions, please contact the CIOT Mini-grant Coordinator, Irene Kan at (510) 643-5766 or by email at  NextGenCIOT@berkeley.edu.

Sincerely,

CHRISTOPHER J. MURPHY
Director