TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT UNIT

In 2004, the Merriam Police Department applied for a traffic grant through the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). The department wanted to start a Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU), whose primary responsibilities would be investigating traffic accidents, identifying and arresting DUI offenders, and to strictly enforce traffic laws in high accident areas.

At the end of 2004, KDOT awarded the department a $242,000 grant to implement a Traffic Enforcement Unit. The grant money was used for two officers' salaries, patrol cars, speed enforcement equipment, DUI equipment, uniforms, and other traffic unit expenses including training.

The first part of 2005 was spent planning the integration of the unit into the department and purchasing equipment. On September 1, 2005, the Traffic Enforcement Unit was fully operational with three officers.

2006 Traffic Citations issued by TEU:
Traffic Stops - 2,691
Moving Violations - 2,689
Non-moving Violations - 1,041
Total Tickets Issued - 3,933
DUI Arrests - 66
Speeding - 1,416
Other Moving - 1,958
Seat Belts - 559
Accident Reports - 181
Shifts Worked - 426
Miles Driven - 17,855

2007 Traffic Citations issued by TEU:

Traffic Stops - 2,199
Moving Violation - 1,962
Non-Moving Violations - 1,542
Total Tickets Issued - 3,504
DUI Arrests - 49
Speeding - 879
Other Moving Violations - 1,083
Seat Belts - 602
Accident Reports - 239
Shifts Worked - 426
Miles Driven - 17,012

2008 Traffic Citations issued by TEU:

Traffic Stops - 2,000
Moving Violation - 1,876
Non-Moving Violations - 1,622
Total Tickets Issued - 3,498
DUI Arrests - 59
Speeding - 915
Other Moving Violations - 1,018
Seat Belts - 721
Accident Reports - 203
Shifts Worked - 205
Miles Driven - 16,266

Contact Information:
To contact the Traffic Unit of the Merriam Police Department, please call (913) 322-5560 or e-mail TrafficU@merriam.org.