Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Bethany Beach police complete crash‑reconstruction training; OHS grants to fund targeted patrols and bike lights
Summary
Police Chief and Corporal Rogers completed advanced crash‑reconstruction training to strengthen local investigations; the department described Office of Highway Safety overtime patrols for 2026 and an OHS grant that could provide an estimated 250–500 bike lights/reflective bands for distribution.
Bethany Beach police officers said on Feb. 9 that recent specialized crash‑reconstruction training will improve their ability to investigate serious pedestrian and bicycle crashes and that the department will continue OHS‑funded targeted patrols aimed at speeding, distracted driving and DUI during the summer season.
The police chief described attending a 40‑hour Level‑4 pedestrian and bicycle crash reconstruction class with live crash testing and measurements that aid investigators in calculating impact and slide distances. The training is intended to supplement the Delaware State Police response for fatal collisions and to give local officers more investigative tools for serious incidents.
Separately, the chief outlined the department’s use of Office of Highway Safety (OHS) overtime grants for targeted patrols (DUI, speed, distracted driving) that are statistically driven and required to produce enforcement data for continued funding. He also reported an approved or pending OHS grant for equipment and outreach materials that could supply an estimated 250–500 bike lights and reflective bands to hand out at checkpoints, seminars and trolley events.
"We successfully passed our test," the chief said of the crash‑reconstruction course, adding that the training provides "meat and potatoes" for local accident investigations. The department plans to publicize targeted patrols so community outreach can connect education with enforcement presence.
Clarifying details provided in the meeting: the reconstruction class was described as a multi‑day formal course with specialized measurements and live scene exercises; OHS patrols require the department to document activities and, for enforcement‑oriented patrols, to produce statistical outputs (e.g., tickets) as part of funding requirements. The projected 250–500 lights/bands figure was presented as an estimate from the OHS grant application, not a finalized inventory.
Next steps: police will continue designated summer patrols supported by OHS funding and distribute any donated lights/reflective bands at events; the committee discussed using trolley posters and handouts to amplify the messaging tied to those patrols.
