Police Crack Down On Seat Belt, Child Safety Violations Over Holidays

If curbed you March 12 through March 20, you weren't alone. Police were cracking down on seat belt violations or failure to secure a child, along with suspended or revoked driving statutes, according to a press release from the police department.

In all, 101 citations were issued during the eight-day operation.

“Conducting campaigns every couple of months helps to remind drivers that they need to buckle up, stay sober and pay attention while driving,” said Deputy Police Chief Dominic D’Ambrosio.

The operation was part of a traffic enforcement campaign funded by the Illinois Department of Transportation’s called Sustained Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP). The program is designed to “create a sustained, year-long emphasis on DTS’ (Division of Traffic Safety) highest enforcement priorities: impaired driving and nighttime safety belt usage."

Throughout the year, the STEP program has six outlined holidays during which police departments in the program must conduct operations during. The six holidays are: Thanksgiving, Christmas/New Years, St. Patrick's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day.

“Our primary goal is to keep our residents and those traveling through our community safe,” D'Ambrosio said.