Greg Piccinini, Chief of Police
Office of Traffic Safety – Law Enforcement Grant
Adopt a resolution authorizing the Town of Windsor Police Department to accept a grant from the State of California Office of Traffic Safety in the amount of $82,500 for the Town of Windsor Police Department to implement a traffic enforcement program and authorizing the Town Manager to execute all grant documents on behalf of the Town.
The recommended action supports the goal of Organizational Effectiveness. Goal Statement: Achieve a high performing organization by nurturing an engaged workforce committed to a shared vision of public service.
In January of 2026, the Town of Windsor Police Department applied to the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to receive up to $130,000 in grant funding. The grant, sponsored by the State of California, through the Office of Traffic Safety awarded the Town of Windsor Police Department a maximum of $82,500 in funding. The OTS grant funds allow the Windsor Police Department to perform dedicated traffic enforcement operations to mitigate traffic safety issues. In part, the funding supports collaborative operations allowing assistance by allied Sonoma County law enforcement.
Traffic enforcement and safety are a top priority for the Town. In recent years, the Town has recognized the need to manage its growth and address increasing public safety needs on its roadways. Due to the Town of Windsor's proximity to the 101 Freeway, the Town experiences clusters of crashes on busier roadways that are close to the 101 Freeway, including Shiloh Road and Old Redwood Highway, especially during times of increased traffic and at night, as these roads are not as well-lit as other town streets.
Windsor’s roundabout at Windsor Road and Windsor River Road, installed in March 2022 to alleviate heavy traffic, has required drivers to adapt to new traffic rules at the intersection, leading to confusion or failures to yield. Due to the roundabout’s location near the high school, a residential area, and the Town Green, there has been an increase in crashes since it opened.
The Windsor Police Department is most concerned with (1) speeding offenders who take to dangerous speeds on the roadways, especially on roads that have no stoplights, (2) drunk drivers who may be leaving one of Windsor's many wine or brewing establishments and putting themselves and others at risk by getting behind the wheel after drinking, and (3) general unsafe driving practices including reckless driving and distracted driving which are growing in numbers of crash causes. Finally, a persistent issue for the Windsor Police Department is pedestrian safety. The Windsor Police Department responds to frequent calls in the downtown Town Green area and near several schools in the Town; these locations experience high volumes of pedestrian and bike activity that are not always protected by crosswalks and lights.
The Windsor Police Department uses Crossroads Collision Database Software for reporting and analytics of traffic collisions and citations. The software identifies reckless and distracted driving behaviors as Windsor’s primary crash factor. Improper turning is currently the most frequently cited primary crash violation, followed by unsafe speed and right-of-way violations. These behaviors present a significant risk to pedestrians, bicyclists, and other vulnerable road users.
Pedestrian and bicyclist safety remains a critical concern. Windsor experienced a pedestrian fatality in 2023, a near-fatal hit-and-run involving a bicyclist in 2024, and a near-fatal crash involving a teenager in a marked crosswalk in 2025. Increased pedestrian and bicycle activity associated with schools, parks, and downtown community events further elevates the risk of severe injury when traffic violations occur.
The grant operation period is October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027
The California Office of Traffic Safety does not have a match requirement. The Town of Windsor will be responsible for any administrative costs associated with implementing the grant award.
This action does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378 and requires no environmental review.