Crime & Safety

Police Enforcement Ramps Up for "Safe Streets"

Montgomery County police issued 156 traffic violations Wednesday during "Operation Safe Streets."

In an effort to thwart traffic violations in Montgomery County, police officials launched Operation Safe Streets Wednesday in Silver Spring.

About 35 traffic officers patrolled the Georgia Avenue corridor—from the Maryland state line bordering Washington, D.C., to Connecticut Avenue.

Police officers from multiple districts—including Bethesda, Gaithersburg and Rockville—stopped people for various reasons, such as pedestrian violations, speeding, running red lights, seatbelt violations, etc.

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Montgomery County Police spokeswoman Lucille Baur said that this enforcement will happen throughout the year spontaneously on different roads in the county.

“By periodically using officers from each of the districts, enforcement can be conducted on a longer stretch than it would be possible using only traffic officers assigned to that particular district," she said.

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The concentrated enforcement in one major street isn’t taking all traffic officers away during the four-hour block, she added.

The increase of police presence was welcomed by Silver Spring resident William Abbott. He lives a few blocks away from Georgia Avenue and witnesses bus drivers running red lights and not waiting for pedestrians. 

“I was almost hit twice while walking my dog [a Shitzu],” Abbott said.

Police officials hailed Wednesday’s kick-off of Operation Safe Streets as a success.

In total, 156 traffic citations were given Wednesday for speeding and aggressive driving behaviors, among other violations. There were 248 written warnings, and of that 179 were given to pedestrians who didn’t cross the street safely.

“I believe that with police officers being out there, it was really educational,” said police spokesman Capt. Paul Starks.

Montgomery County Police will gear up for the next traffic enforcement collaboration for May 11. Officials will monitor Veirs Mill Road from Atlantic Avenue to Randolph Road, Old Georgetown Road and Commerce Street, including Wisconsin Avenue and Bethesda Avenue.


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