W HEN YOU talk to Stafford
"Everyone pretty much recognizes now that the traditional style of law enforcement is not
He said when his office used to get a complaint about speeding in a neighborhood, for example, the traditional response would be to send out someone to run radar for a day or two and write a lot
"That would address the problem in the short term," Jett said. "We were very incident driven in our response and it was like we were chasing our tails. We weren't solving the root of the problem.
"What works is community policing. That's the same problem-solving approach we took in dealing with crime a few years ago, and now it's proving effective in dealing with traffic issues."
Jett said his department's problem-solving approach is based on a military model.
"First, we scan the situation, then analyze the factors causing the problem and then formulate
"Sometimes, analyzing the situation means using traffic data; sometimes, it might mean going door to door in a neighborhood talking to residents. But then, based on all of the information we gather, we tailor a response for the long term."
The last step in the process is an assessment after a period of time has passed. If the problem persists, then deputies take a fresh look at the situation.
In addition to listening to residents, Jett said his deputies have formed strong working relationships with school administrators, and representatives of the Virginia Department of Transportation, county government staff and local insurance companies.
This approach allows for more creativity, the sharing of resources and community input. Ultimately, the goal is to change the driving habits of otherwise law-abiding citizens.
"We've been successful because we all work together and no one has a territorial attitude," Jett said.
The fruit of these partnerships include programs that promote public information and education as well as more traditional law enforcement techniques.
An example of a successful initiative, Jett said, is the graduated parking pass project. This program utilizes color-coded parking stickers at high schools to allow for easy identification of teenage drivers with restrictions on the number of allowed passengers.
Some other examples are mandatory meetings for the parents of new drivers; a "speedwatch" program that uses speed-monitoring equipment and a volunteer staff to target specific areas, and "traffic calming" techniques that incorporate road design in solving traffic issues.
Sometimes traffic statistics can make your eyes glaze over, but here's one that should be of interest to county drivers: Despite the fact that both Stafford and Spotsylvania have about the same number of licensed drivers, Stafford averaged about 235 fewer crashes each year from 2002 to 2005.
That amounts to more than four fewer crashes per week. And it means a little less risk for you and the people you love.
During the same four-year span, there were 61 traffic fatalities in Spotsylvania and only 37 in Stafford.
Jett qualifies those numbers by saying that there are a variety of factors involved.
"Spotsylvania, for example, has more miles of rural roads and more square miles that we do,"
Still, Jett is pleased to point out that just within Stafford's borders, statistics reflect a steady decline in both alcohol-related and speed-related accidents and injuries.
All of this would suggest that the county's traffic safety programs are working. Another sign of success is the fact that other law enforcement agencies and associations around the state and the nation are taking notice of Stafford.
In 2005, Jett's department won three traffic safety awards from the National Sheriff's Association, including the Best Traffic Safety Overall award, which is considered the best-of-the-best among Sheriff's Offices across the country.
The Stafford Sheriff's Office also won a first place traffic safety award from the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the President's Award from the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police. The VACP honor goes to just one law enforcement agency in Virginia that demonstrates the best overall traffic safety success through traditional and innovative initiatives.
In addition, the Stafford department won the 2005 Virginia Law Enforcement Challenge, placing first among sheriff's offices having between 76 and 150 sworn employees, and the Speed Awareness Award, which recognized only one agency in Virginia for its efforts in reducing accidents through speed awareness.
"It's exciting that little ol' Stafford is getting respect," Jett said. "But the lower death rate and the fewer injuries, those are the things that are important. We aren't running programs to win awards, to generate money or just to make people happy. We want to save lives."
Earlier this year, Jett was asked to speak in Austin, Texas, at the Lifesavers 2006 National Conference on Highway Safety Priorities. Jett said he asked how many in attendance represented departments with 150 or less employees.
"Just about everyone raised their hands," he said. "That's when I knew I was among friends. I talked about how we all have to deal with the same kinds of traffic problems, and how the demand for services is growing at a faster rate than our resources.
"Then I explained how some
See, there's that word again.
To reach LEE WOOLF:
Email: lwoolf@freelancestar.com