Edmond approves three safety grants totaling $111,210 to fund speed enforcement, motorcycle and bicycle-pedestrian programs
Summary
The council approved three Oklahoma Highway Safety Office grants—$37,750 for speed enforcement (TARP), $34,860 for motorcycle-safety classes and $38,600 for bicycle-pedestrian safety—along with matching budget amendments; a resident offered public praise for the motorcycle class.
Edmond City Council approved three traffic and safety-related grants during the meeting: a $37,750 OHSO enforcement grant to support the Traffic Accident Reduction Program (TARP), a $34,860 motorcycle safety grant, and a $38,600 bicycle-pedestrian safety grant. Each grant’s corresponding supplemental-appropriation budget amendment was also approved.
Chief JD Younger described the enforcement grant as an annual award the department has received for several years and said funds would be used for equipment and overtime for speed enforcement. On the motorcycle grant, Younger said the police present about six motorcycle-safety classes annually and praised the staff who apply for and execute grants. Taylor Wilson, a resident, offered public comment endorsing the motorcycle class: "I just wanna as a citizen that is a brand new bridal that hadn't ridden before in my life, I took that class and it does help and it saves lives and really makes a difference."
Christy Batterson, director of housing and community resources, described the bicycle-pedestrian grant as 100% reimbursable and intended to buy reflective safety materials and host roughly six school events over the next year promoting safe cycling and walking; she said planning would coordinate with the police department and no local match was required.
Each grant and its budget amendment passed on unanimous votes.
