Police, Sheriff’s Office Win ‘Click It or Ticket’ Award for City

Sheriff's deputies Lt. Tom Crider and Greg Jones (top) assisted Master Police Officer Justin Cuomo and Officers Mike Gessner and James Brooks (bottom) in City's "Click it or Ticket" campaign. (Photos by Barbara Gordon) . . .

The City of Falls Church Police Department and the Sheriff’s Office have been recognized for their highly successful efforts in the May 2009 “Click it or Ticket” campaign to promote seat belt usage.  The Falls Church Police and Sheriff were honored for the highest safety belt use in Virginia among jurisdictions of similar size. 

The award was issued by Smart, Safe & Sober, a statewide partnership aimed at reducing traffic fatalities.  It is a joint effort of local law enforcement, the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police, the Virginia Highway Safety Office of the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Virginia Department of State Police, the Virginia Sheriffs’ Association, and DRIVE SMART Virginia.  Through education and awareness on the importance of seat belt use, and high visibility enforcement, the program helps save lives on Virginia ’s highways.

This is the first year Falls Church has earned this award.  The City plans to participate in the program again next year.

The Police Department will continue its efforts this fall to promote safety and reduce traffic fatalities with the Smooth Operator Campaign.  From Sept. 13-19, patrols will intensively patrol the City streets to target aggressive drivers and other unsafe driving behaviors.