State Cites UB's Traffic Safety Programs

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The University at Buffalo Police Department's (UBPD) numerous traffic safety initiatives earned special recognition at the annual New York Law Enforcement Challenge Awards ceremony during the Empire State Law Enforcement Traffic Safety Conference.

The award, given to UB last April in Albany, noted the numerous efforts made by the department to ensure traffic safety -- including traffic law enforcement activities and public education programs such as UBPD's annual holiday seatbelt checkpoints. Officers working these checkpoints make sure drivers are buckled-up and hand out holiday cards with traffic safety reminders to students leaving campus for the drive back home for holiday breaks.

The statewide ceremony is what its organizers call "a friendly and competitive traffic safety recognition" program among law enforcement agencies of similar sizes and types.

"This is the first time that our department has sought to be considered for this award," says Chris J. Bartolomei, UB's assistant chief of police. "We are very pleased that our efforts to promote safe driving habits have been recognized by the committee."

The New York Challenge is coordinated by the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee and is one of 15 state programs hosted annually in the U.S.

The competition focuses on efforts to enforce laws and to educate the public about occupant restraint, impaired driving and speeding. UB's police department was recognized as being among the state's best overall traffic safety programs.

UB Police Lt. Gregg Gamble and Lt. Scott Marciszewski submitted the detailed proposal necessary to be considered for a Challenge Award, and Lt. Gamble accepted recognition on behalf of UB police.