Money matters

Critics of the increased traffic enforcement in the local area have accused the Sheriff's Department of handing out more citations as a means of making money.

The fact is, on average, only about 25 percent of the total monies received from a traffic fine goes to the issuing city, and none directly to the Sheriff's Department. The remainder goes to other agencies and funds-mostly with the state.

"If there's an expectation that we're paying for police service by writing more tickets, then I can say there's absolutely no connection," said Lt. Steven Smith of the Lost Hills Station.