Don't speed: Lincoln PD reestablishes traffic unit

On Sunday, the Lincoln Police Department officially reestablished the department's traffic unit. "The unit's primary focus will be conducting traffic enforcement throughout the city, investigation of major collisions, and public education," Lt. Keith Johnson said on July 14. The Lincoln Police Department has not had an official traffic unit in more than a decade due to a nationwide economic recession, according to Johnson. To ensure all positions are filled all the time, the Lincoln Police Department will begin assigning officers from patrol to the traffic unit. As of now, the Lincoln Police Department has selected one full-time traffic officer and will continue to add more officers to the unit as staffing levels increase. Sixteen-year-Lincoln Police Department veteran Officer Brett Schneider was selected as the full-time traffic officer. "Officer Schneider will bring to the unit experience and training in advanced collision investigation, commercial vehicle enforcement and street racing enforcement," Johnson said. "I'm honored to be the officer selected to restart and rebuild our program after nearly 10 years without a dedicated traffic unit," Schneider said last week when receiving this position. Schneider's goal as full-time traffic officer is to emphasize traffic-related issues, such as speeding and stop sign violations, to Lincoln residents. According to Lt. Johnson, these two issues are most commonly reported and observed by residents. In addition to reestablishing the city's traffic unit, the Lincoln Police Department has received funds from two traffic-related grants. The first grant is the state of California Cannabis Tax Fund Grant for a total of $150,000. This grant will fund traffic enforcement operations to combat driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, driving under the influence training for officers, and public education and outreach. The second grant monies awarded to the Lincoln Police Department is from the Office of Traffic Safety Police Traffic Services Grant for $50,000. The funding will go toward more driving under the influence checkpoints, directed enforcement efforts and additional training for officers. "I'm very appreciative of Chief Alves and his staff for pursuing and receiving these two grants for the Lincoln Police Department," Mayor Holly Andreatta told Gold Country Media on Monday. "His (Alves) initiative and drive for the betterment of our community is to be commended. I'm very proud that our traffic unit is being reinstated and I look forward to our streets being even safer as a result of the increased focus on traffic- related issues."