Media contact: Devyn Giannetti: (216) 225-9813; dgiannetti@cuyahogacounty.us

CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OH – The Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department has secured two grant awards totaling $80,199 through the State of Ohio’s High Visibility Enforcement Overtime (HVEO) Program.

The first grant, the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) High Visibility Enforcement (HVE), is for $41,849. This is a universal traffic safety approach designed to create deterrence and change unlawful traffic behaviors. HVE combines highly visible and proactive law enforcement targeting a specific traffic safety issue.

The second grant, from the Impaired Driving Enforcement Program (IDEP), is for $38,349. This program works to reduce the number of traffic-related fatal crashes and to decrease the number of alcohol-related fatal and serious injury crashes. The Sheriff's Department will increase its visibility and presence in higher risk areas to meet these goals.

These funds are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) of the U.S. Department of Transportation. They are awarded to eligible entities to be used in part for, but not limited to, traffic safety education, enforcement and awareness.