Page 20 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • November 17, 2010 �������������������������� Township seeks grant to continue road safety effort by John Koster Last week, the Wyckoff Township Committee marked the success of a state-subsidized program to reduce speeding by applying for a $5,000 grant to operate a similar program next year. The Wyckoff Police Department reported 119 road stops for motor vehicle offenses during the recent period of expanded enforcement. The program was defrayed by $4,000 from the State of New Jersey. The state subsidy covered the cost of 53 hours of overtime by Wyckoff police officers and resulted in apprehensions for a variety of violations, according to the report compiled locally and forwarded to the state. The safety program is known as “Over the Limit: Under Arrest.” The police, appropriate to the primary goal of reducing speeding on residential streets and county roads, made 22 arrests for speeding. Police also arrested five motorists for driving under the influence and four drivers for possession of narcotics while in an automobile. Six motorists were charged with reckless driving, generally in connection with DWI or speeding offenses. The police charged six drivers with seat belt violations, and two motorists for driving with suspended licenses, generally in connection with other offenses. Another 75 drivers were charged with other moving or-non-moving violations. Wyckoff Police Chief Benjamin Fox said he thought the state-subsidized crackdown on speeding was a success. “It promoted education to the people that if they violate traffic regulations, they’re going to be charged.” Chief Fox said. “The purpose is to change irresponsible behavior and enforce the law.” While not diminishing the dangers of driving while intoxicated or under the influence of narcotics, Chief Fox and other police officers have pointed out that excessive speed, especially in residential areas, is a factor in most serious accidents and will not be tolerated in Wyckoff. The township has won many awards from the Automobile Association of America for pedestrian safety. Celebrating the township’s recent receipt of the AAA Pedestrian Safety Award are Wyckoff Township Committeman Thomas Madigan, Ptl. Kevin Kasak, Ptl. Brian Zivkovich, Committeeman Christopher DePhillips, Sgt. Jack McEwan, Lt. Charles Van Dyk, Chief Benjamin Fox, Mayor Rudy Boonstra, Deputy Mayor Kevin Rooney, and Committeeman Brian Scanlan.