Pasadena Police Launch $512,200 Traffic Safety Program

Pasadena police on Monday announced the kickoff of a state-funded traffic safety program backed by a $512,200 grant, scheduled to continue through September 2027.

Lt. Mathew Campeau of the Pasadena Police Department’s Traffic Section announced the start of the Office of Traffic Safety’s Selective Traffic Enforcement Program, known as STEP, on Oct. 26. The announcement follows the City Council’s approval of the funding last week.

On Oct. 20, the council authorized the city manager to execute grant documents for the California Office of Traffic Safety award and amended the Police Department’s fiscal year 2027 operating budget.

The funding is intended to supplement existing police resources for targeted enforcement and public education, according to a Police Department staff report prepared for the council meeting.

The state’s STEP program supports activities such as impaired-driving checkpoints, DUI patrols, distracted-driving enforcement and operations addressing pedestrian and bicycle safety. The California Office of Traffic Safety also supports officer training and community education through the program.

The new funding comes as Pasadena officials confront troubling traffic collision statistics.

According to figures presented by the city’s transportation and police departments, Pasadena recorded 336 injury and fatal traffic collisions during the first six months of 2026. Four people died in those crashes, including two pedestrians and two vehicle occupants.

Those four fatalities exceeded the three recorded during the entire previous year.

City officials presented the figures to the City Council’s Municipal Services Committee on Oct. 21 as part of a broader examination of roadway safety, traffic enforcement and measures to reduce dangerous driving.

Pasadena has established a goal of eliminating roadway fatalities by 2035. City officials are also examining roadway improvements, lower speed limits and other measures to reduce collisions.

The $512,200 traffic safety award is separate from a $25,000 Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control grant that the council also approved Oct. 20. That funding supports enforcement aimed at preventing illegal alcohol sales to minors.

The Police Department’s new STEP grant program is scheduled to run through September 2027.