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Walnut Creek approves $285,000 traffic-enforcement grant application to fund overtime shifts
Summary
The council approved a $285,000 Office of Traffic Safety grant application to fund targeted overtime traffic enforcement (six 8-hour shifts) over the next year. Police Chief Ryan Hibbs said overtime fills temporary patrol gaps while lateral hires and academy classes restore staffing.
The Walnut Creek City Council voted to move forward with a $285,000 grant application intended to fund additional targeted traffic-enforcement overtime shifts over the coming year.
Council members discussed staffing implications before the vote. Council Member DeVinny asked how the department was covering a roughly 30% shortfall from its authorized 85 sworn positions. Chief Ryan Hibbs said 78 positions were filled as of the previous Friday but that the department's deployed patrol roster was 32 officers (the model calls for 36). "Those four slots are being filled with overtime," Hibbs said, adding that the department has lateral candidates in background checks and multiple entry-level trainees in the academy who should increase deployed strength later in the year.
Hibbs said the grant request is for overtime only — not equipment or new positions — and would fund six targeted eight-hour enforcement shifts focused on traffic safety. "We're just kind of shooting high and hoping for the best at this point," he said of the dollar request, noting the Office of Traffic Safety may fund the full amount.
Council approved the motion by roll call. The grant application does not obligate the city to accept funding; if awarded, overtime would be used to staff the stated targeted enforcement shifts.
