Watch for Me NC 2015 Share Meeting: The Role of Law Enforcement and Strategies for Coordination July 29, 2015
Agenda Roll call Program updates Part 1: Working with law enforcement to: Prioritize ped/bike safety Prepare for operations Conduct successful operations Part 2: Community updates
Media Updates from NCDOT
Law Enforcement Training Updates Community Date Held Attended Outer Banks, NC June 23, 2015 11 Jacksonville, NC June 25, 2015 15 Charlotte, NC July 7 8, 2015 38 Durham, NC July 14, 2015 12 Boone, NC July 21, 2015 11 Asheville, NC July 22, 2015 10 Greensboro, NC July 28, 2015 10 Greenville, NC July 30, 2015 13 registered Register at: http://watchformenc.org/events/
What the Training Covered The Basics: Why Enforce Ped/Bike Safety Engineering/Designing for Enforcement How Pedestrian & Bicycle Crashes Happen Education: Officers as Educators Pedestrian & Bicycle Laws Enforcement Options Crosswalk Enforcement Operation: Field Practice Crash Investigation & Reporting Safe Routes to School Potential Law Enforcement Partners
Getting Ped/Bike Issues on the Radar Common barriers: Agency focus is on crime Focus is on other traffic issues (belt use, etc.) Misunderstanding about Watch for Me NC campaign goals Limited resources
Getting Ped/Bike Issues on the Radar 1. Data: compare crash stats to other incidence rates (such as homicides) 2. Sandwich: Top down and bottom up support 3. Insider: Work with an internal champion 4. FOMO: Connect with participating agencies 5. Incentives: Pay for over time or other 6. Others?
GHSP Incentives Watch for Me NC efforts (conducted by official partners) ARE eligible for GHSP points NEW web based points system available in early October: Form for Watch for Me NC enforcement event (MUST involve citations; can also involve warnings) Form for Educational Event (if no citations were issued) Form for Media Event GHSP to provide detail on max points that can be earned and max # of events that can be logged (typically 4 6/month) 8
Important Considerations Shift work/ changing schedules Chain of command Relations between PD and others in the legal community (courts, district attorneys, etc.) Others?
Opportunities for Collaboration with Enforcement Agencies Sharing data on ped/bike issues Selecting sites for enforcement Working together to set dates for operations so that public education can be timed appropriately Coordinating media engagement Supporting education events and public outreach Others?
Preparing for Enforcement: Site Selection Criteria for enforcement sites: Lower speeds (posted 35 mph or less) Marked crosswalks (typically midblock or uncontrolled crossings) Space for officers to conduct operations (such as room to pull drivers over on the streets or in parking lots downstream of the crossing) Additional key considerations: History of ped/bike crashes Proximity to schools High potential for pedestrian activity Resident requests/feedback Discussion: how agencies are selecting sites for enforcement?
Preparing for Enforcement Education, education, education! Meet with District Attorney and/or judges or send information regarding the campaign See Template Open Letter on partner webpage Work with local businesses/communities in advance of law enforcement Sgt. Massengill from Durham to share 9 th St experiences
Preparing for Enforcement Issue press releases before/after operations Be ready to respond to media inquiries
Tips for Getting Good Media Coverage 1. Go thru the right channels: Public Information Officer 2. Be relevant/timely: Connect with a newsworthy event or involve a high profile individual 3. Give advance notice: 24 hours minimum 4. Make direct contact: 1 2pm is usually a good time to email/call 5. Be ready for an interview: See talking points in Communications Toolkit Durham, NC
Conduct Successful Operations High visibility = high impact Make use of available materials: Sandwich boards Warning ticket books Rack cards Bike lights and bracelets
Post Enforcement Share your data and story With your coalition With your community With HSRC and other WFM partners
Reporting Enforcement Operations Separate from GHSP points system www.watchformenc.org/reporting
Non Enforcement Opportunities
Part II: Status Updates
Additional Resources Email the listserv: watchformenc@googlegroups.com www.watchformenc.org/partner resources/ Next meeting: TBD