LEMONT, IL – The Lemont Police Department has been awarded grant funding by the Illinois Department of Transportation for community traffic safety education, including increased enforcement of seat belts, speed, and impaired driving laws.

This grant allows the Department to hire back Officers to specifically enforce traffic safety laws, over and above the regular patrol.

Enforcement activities include occupant protection enforcement zones, saturation patrols, zero tolerance mandates, and roadside safety checks.

This grant period will entend through September 30, 2010 and coincide with State/National “You Drink & Drive, YOU LOSE” and “Click It or Ticket” campaigns.

Since 2004, the Lemont Police Department has been honored with Top Awards at the State and National Level for exemplary efforts in traffic safety.

“Traffic safety continues to be a priority of the Lemont Police Department, ” said Lemont Police Sergeant Joe Miller, Coordinator of the Traffic Safety Program.  “We are proud of our accomplishments and will continue to be proactice in traffic safety and enforcement programs.”

The Illinois Department of Transportation has been very supportive in funding these traffic safety projects and furnishing the Lemont Police with equipment and community education materials.