July 17, 2015 – the High Springs Police Department (HSPD) was honored as the top law enforcement agency in Florida when it comes to traffic safety enforcement initiatives. Traffic Officer James Yakubsin and the Chief of Police attended the awards ceremony in Orlando, Florida, receiving 1st place honors in all three of the Traffic Safety Challenges in the 9-16 sworn officers group. The Challenges, administrated by the Florida Law Enforcement Liaison (LEL) Program, is a grant-funded program sponsored by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Challenges include the Florida Law Enforcement DUI Challenge, Click It or Ticket, and the granddaddy of them all, the Florida Law Enforcement Challenge. Kate Nelson, Coordinator of the Law Enforcement Liaison Program in her correspondences to the Police Chief, wrote, “As a result of your efforts in developing a comprehensive traffic safety program, your department made a significant and positive impact in your community by reducing traffic-related crashes, injuries, and fatalities.”
HSPD was awarded trophies, certificates of recognition, and 15,000 points for each Challenge. The total award of 45,000 points will be utilized to purchase additional traffic safety equipment needed by the agency.
“I am extremely proud of our Officers and the job they do every day, ensuring a safe community through traffic safety. We are ecstatic to be recognized for our efforts and continue to implement programs, educate our community, and use targeted enforcement campaigns to reduce injuries and encourage traffic safety practices, said the Chief of Police."
