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Chief: targeted traffic enforcement produced large numbers of hazardous-violation citations; unit needs more officers
Summary
Police Chief Hudson reported the department's data-driven traffic initiative produced many citations tied to hazardous behavior (Mercer School: 144 speeding citations; highest stop-sign location: 59 violations) and recommended growing the unit from one officer toward a four-officer team with supervisor to ensure timely complaint response.
The Shaker Heights Police Department presented results from a recent directed traffic enforcement initiative aimed at reducing hazardous driving, improving school-zone safety and responding to resident complaints.
"More than 75% of all citations issued involve hazardous violations that directly increase crash risk," Chief Hudson told the council, and he highlighted specific problem areas: Mercer School accounted for 144 speeding citations during the enforcement period and the highest observed stop-sign violation location produced 59 violations. The chief said Chagrin and Lee remains a problematic intersection for red-light violations.
The department described the effort as intelligence-led and data-driven, deploying officers to locations based on resident complaints, crash patterns and traffic trends. Chief Hudson said the unit currently has one officer assigned and that his goal would be to add three more officers and a supervisor so the team can respond within 48 hours to resident complaints. He and councilmembers discussed resource constraints, seasonal variation (school in session vs. summer), and a plan to temporarily darken speed-monitor signs for a month to collect baseline behavior data before interpreting the signs' effectiveness.
Staff noted the city is re-applying for a Safe Streets for All grant that, if awarded, could fund a comprehensive safety plan and demonstration projects in 2027. Councilmembers generally praised the initiative but pressed for clearer cost and staffing analyses; the chief and staff agreed to provide additional data on enforcement outcomes and to follow up on whether young drivers comprised a meaningful share of citations.
