Cape police take part in seat belt project

Southeast Missourian

Cape Girardeau's police department was one of many law enforcement agencies in 20 counties to participate in a statewide effort to increase safety belt use May 19 to 25.

The emphasis was the result of a Selective Traffic Enforcement Program grant received from the Missouri Division of Highway Safety, the Missouri Police Chief's Association and the Missouri Safety Center.

During the STEP program, Cape Girardeau officers issued 91 safety belt tickets, four child restraint violations, 88 speeding tickets and 37 tickets for other traffic and moving violations. Officers wrote 220 tickets for all moving violations.

"We are proud to participate in these statewide enforcement programs," said chief Stephen Strong. "Even as we enforce traffic laws, our officers are also are trying to educate the public about the importance of safe and responsible driving. This part of our work is important because we don't want to lose a single member of our community in a traffic crash."