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North Ogden police outline enforcement push after crash review
Summary
Lieutenant Ryan Long told the council that a targeted August enforcement emphasis led to a 40–50% increase in documented stops and a measurable drop in collisions; he recommended adding moving radars, training on UDOT sensor data and more emphasis patrols through the holidays.
Lieutenant Ryan Long told the North Ogden City Council on Dec. 9 that officers focused enforcement in August after analyzing crash and speed‑display data and that collisions dropped during that emphasis. "We had 149 crashes in North Ogden City between January and July," Long said, adding that roughly 40 of those were at intersections and that fixed radar displays showed more than 96% of drivers were under 5 mph over the limit.
The police lieutenant said the department relied largely on officer observations and the city’s six fixed speed displays, and that the August emphasis led to a 40–50% increase in documented stops compared with July. "Citations look like they went up more than 150% — that's not necessarily infractions that cost somebody money," Long said, explaining that city records count written warnings and citations alike. He said about 1.5% of drivers exceeded 10 mph over the limit — the small group where moving radars could make enforcement more practicable.
Council members pressed Long on equipment and community reporting. Long said two patrol vehicles currently have moving radar and recommended acquiring more moving‑radar units, training officers to use UDOT sensor data for after‑the‑fact red‑light findings, and expanding the mobile trailer speed device. He also described a plan to work with IT on a web form so residents can report problem locations: "We would like to be able to use that more effectively in areas where people can tell us they're having problems," he said.
Long described a private company, Collision Cam, that places cameras on private property and shares footage to help determine fault in crashes; he said the company will discuss options with local business owners. Council members praised the report and emphasized the department’s educational approach during enforcement. The mayor noted there were no quotas and that fine revenue largely goes to the state.
The department intends to continue targeted emphasis patrols for speed, stop‑sign violations and holiday driving problems, pursue additional moving‑radar equipment, and train officers on available sensor data. Council members also discussed grant possibilities to help cover equipment costs.
