The Kingfisher County Sheriff’s Office will have additional resources to help keep local roads safe after receiving a $17,500 overtime grant from the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office.
The grant was presented to the Kingfisher County Commissioners during their meeting Monday, August 10, where commissioners voted unanimously to accept the funding.
The one-year grant begins October 1 and will fund additional enforcement efforts focused on impaired driving and seatbelt violations.
The funding allows deputies to conduct additional enforcement beyond their regular shifts, increasing the Sheriff’s Office presence on county roads without taking away from normal staffing hours.
Deputies participating in the program will be paid actual overtime rather than receiving compensatory time, with eligible overtime costs covered through the grant.
The Oklahoma Highway Safety Office works with state and local law enforcement agencies on programs designed to reduce traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities. Priority areas include impaired driving and occupant protection, including seatbelt use.
For Kingfisher County, the grant means more opportunities for deputies to be on the road specifically targeting behaviors that contribute to serious crashes, while the additional enforcement costs are covered through grant funding.
