The Traffic Unit, formed in 1996, consists of a Sergeant and three Patrol officers whose primary responsibilities are traffic enforcement and traffic related complaints. The traffic officers are detailed to patrol both day and evening shifts with the Sergeant working during the day shift for administrative responsibilities, to include reviewing all OVI (operating a vehicle under the influence) and DUS (driving under suspension) arrests, vehicle/license plate seizures, juvenile traffic citations, etc..
The day shift traffic officers work enforcement around school zones throughout the city and the major roadways during the morning commute. The afternoon shift officer addresses the evening commute, as well as OVI violations.
In an effort to address residential/neighborhood traffic complaints, the Traffic Unit has developed the following response protocol:
Residential/neighborhood traffic complaints:
For current complaints in progress, a patrol or traffic officer will be dispatched to investigate the complaint and take the appropriate enforcement action
Requests for extra patrols for complaints not in progress will be forwarded to the Traffic Sergeant and assignments for extra checks at the appropriate times will be given to patrol and traffic officers.
Repeated traffic complaints in the same area will be handled as follows:
- Stealthstat computer traffic survey conducted (two-day period)
- Speed Awareness Trailer deployed (approx. one week)
- Enforcement by patrol and traffic officers
- Follow-up Stealthstat traffic study to analyze effects
To ask about having the Division speed monitor trailer placed in your neighborhood, contact the Traffic Sergeant, Sgt. Kevin Scullin, at 330-225-9111 or by e-mail at kscullin@brunswick.oh.us.
Citywide traffic enforcement strategies:
The Traffic Unit works enforcement details in conjunction with the K-9 unit and patrol officers. In addition, the Traffic Unit participates in two enforcement mobilization periods organized by the Ohio Department of Public Safety, "What's holding you back - Click it or Ticket" and "You Drink, You Drive - You Lose."
In addition, the Traffic Unit works in cooperation with the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSP) in a variety of details including sobriety check points, Operation TRIAD (Targeting Reckless, Intimidating and Aggressive Drivers), a multi-jurisdictional effort including coordination with OSP aircraft, as well as, a Problem Site Identification program instituted by OSP to reduce crashes on Interstate 71.
Commercial vehicle enforcement:
The Traffic Unit operates the Division weight scale several times a month to check commercial trucks for weight law compliance, as well as safety and equipment violations. In addition, we maintain communication and a working relationship with the Medina County Sheriff's Office commercial enforcement officer and the Ohio State Highway Patrol's Motor Carrier Enforcement Unit.
Division crash report review:
The Traffic Sergeant reviews all crash reports filed with the Division of Police. If problem areas are identified, enforcement efforts are detailed and recommendations to the Engineer's Office or Service Director are made, where appropriate.
The Traffic Sergeant recently participated in a Road Safety Audit conducted by the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) and city departments. NOACA identified the intersection of Pearl Road and Center Road as a target after taking into account the volume of traffic compared to the number of crashes. The report can be viewed here. Many of the recommendations are expected to be incorporated in the Citywide Traffic Signal Upgrade Project, which is expected to be implemented in 2010.
