City of Calabasas finally gets new traffic enforcement cops

By Michael Picarella pic@theacorn.com

Traffic enforcement in Calabasas finally has new law officers. The city promised they were coming last October, but the process was delayed because of litigation in federal court involving the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and how it handles new appointments.

The new officers (a community service assistant, a motorcycle officer and a team leader—or strategist/traffic investigator) are now on the payroll.

"I’m very pleased to announce that, Friday, September 3rd, the Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station appointed Dep. John Caffrey the new Calabasas Lead Traffic Investigator," said City Councilman Barry Groveman. "Deputy Caffrey brings considerable experience to this vital new responsibility and this will be a major component of the bold traffic initiative underway in Calabasas to reduce traffic congestion and reckless driving.

"I have worked closely with Deputy John Caffrey," Groveman said, "and can tell you he’s very dedicated and has superb law enforcement skills. We’re very fortunate to have him in this role."

Calabasas also added an officer to help reduce traffic congestion and reckless driving.

"I’m equally pleased to announce the selection of the new Calabasas Traffic Csar, a position created as part of the Calabasas Vehicle Management Plan (CVMP)," Groveman said. 

"Although originally envisioned to be filled by one person, we got creative and successfully negotiated with the sheriff’s office to fill the full-time position with two off-duty deputy sheriffs, each working 20 hours of their off-duty personal time for a total of 40 hours per week. This will provide the city with a team of experienced traffic enforcement officers, further enhancing the ability and focus of our problem-solving efforts."

According to the Calabasas Traffic and Transportation Department, traffic has significantly increased, vehicle registration numbers have tripled, reckless driving and traffic accidents have shot up, and tickets for speeding and dangerous driving have increased in the 12 years since the city incorporated in 1991.

Council members agreed in October that traffic enforcement deserved greater emphasis. City and law enforcement officials want to reduce reckless driving and traffic congestion. If motorists disobey traffic laws in Calabasas, Groveman said, they can expect traffic tickets because of the additional deputies.

Groveman described the effort as both reactive and proactive.

"I want to be the type of person who thinks ahead and doesn’t wait until the tragedy to think about what we could’ve done," he said. "For that reason, we want to highlight the accidents that have occurred in the city, we want to pursue violators, we want to deal with drunk driving and we want to crack down in the neighborhoods, around the neighborhoods, on the public streets and––in particular—around the schools."

The new deputies and off-duty officers will initially concentrate on school traffic, according to Groveman.

"Particular attention will be focused on moving traffic in and around the school pick-up and drop-off lanes to ease congestion and reduce travel time," Groveman said. "The CVMP traffic team has spent significant time reviewing and making adjustments to lanes and stopping zones around schools to facilitate new strategies that will be in place this year.

"One example is the creation of loading and unloading zones on both sides of Mulholland Highway between A.C. Stelle Middle School and Gelson’s," Groveman said. "They’re designated by white curbs with signs. This will allow the deputies and traffic officers to move traffic out of the school and away from neighborhoods streets such as Paul Revere and Liberty Bell, yet provide plenty of room for cars waiting to pick up or drop off children. Similar adjustments have been made at Bay Laurel Elementary School and the other schools in Calabasas."

Once the school traffic program is established, the city plans to meet with community leaders and homeowners associations to identify other streets and commercial areas that need greater enforcement to address congestion and reckless driving, according to Groveman. City and sheriff’s department representatives will meet weekly to discuss traffic matters, he said.

"To me, the key is to remain vigilant and persistent in our efforts," Groveman said. "While a great deal will be accomplished with additional resources, it’s really about establishing priorities and ensuring follow-through that will distinguish these efforts from the past."