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Residents may have seen a pair of shiny white police cruisers out over Labor Day weekend, patrolling the streets with particular attention paid to the rules of the roadway.
The Elgin Police Department added two traffic enforcement vehicles to its fleet in August, part of a new dedicated unit aimed at reducing crashes, investigating major wrecks and responding to complaints about reckless driving. The traffic unit will be at the forefront of keeping Elgin’s roads safe, according to Commander Aaron Crim.
“Traffic units play a crucial role in enhancing the safety of our city and the motorists who travel through it daily,” Crim said.
The $100,000 vehicles are outfitted with graphics, police lighting, digital technology and equipment, each purchased with funding from the city and the Texas Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority. Other duties include traffic management during rush hours or after incidents, protecting pedestrians and cyclists, and deploying focused patrols during holidays or times of increased traffic incidents — watching for impaired driving, speeding and other unsafe behavior.
According to Crim, the responsibility for managing roadway issues previously fell on patrol officers. But with the city’s growing population, an increase in calls for service has meant less time to devote to traffic complaints or incidents.
Crim said the move is already paying off. In the unit’s first week, officers stopped a vehicle traveling 101 mph in a 65-mph zone.
“This incident highlights the effectiveness of the unit in improving road safety,” Crim said. “Every patrol officer is equipped and has the ability to assist with traffic control issues, however, that is not their primary duty.”
Currently, two officers are assigned to the traffic unit. A fully staffed patrol shift includes five officers who can assist with traffic issues but are primarily responsible for other calls.
“We have requested and received additional staff to increase the number of officers patrolling the city,” Crim said. “This enhanced presence serves as a deterrent to reckless driving and enables us to respond more effectively to traffic complaints. Additional staff allows us to dedicate two officers specifically to addressing traffic-related issues in our community.”
The department has also created a community liaison officer position to provide education and awareness about traffic safety. That officer will engage residents through public outreach and help promote safe driving habits.
Residents who want to report traffic problems can email [email protected].
“Drive safe, buckle up, and celebrate responsibly — let’s keep Elgin roads crash-free,” officials said in a statement ahead of the holiday weekend.
