The Augusta Department of Public Safety (ADPS) is committed to making the city streets and State highways as safe as possible. We achieve this goal by strict traffic enforcement on a daily basis, and through traffic programs such as S.T.E.P., selective enforcement, DUI check lanes, saturation patrols, and regular daily patrols.
In 2002 the department began the S.T.E.P. enforcement program. This program was initiated as a result of numerous complaints about traffic violations occurring on 7th Street (also known as US 54 highway). The program utilizes a number of officers who stage at a pre-chosen location and watch for traffic violations including speeding, running red lights, defective equipment, etc. The program is designed to have a large number of officers out and extremely visible. During the enforcement, officers line up patrol cars in areas where the motoring public can see them and know that they are present. The goal of the program is not to see how many citations can be issued, but rather to slow traffic and make drivers more aware of their surroundings. In addition to issuing citations, this can be accomplished by simple presence of officers and patrol cars.
July 19, 2003, ADPS held a DUI check lane. This check lane was the first in many years for the department. Members of the Kansas Highway Patrol and Deputies with the Butler County Sheriff’s Office provided assistance. The lane was a success and resulted in two driving while intoxicated arrests, two arrests for transporting open containers of alcohol, and several other citations for violations. Since 2003, the department has been awarded a grant through the Kansas Department of Transportation to allow more check lanes and saturation patrols. The grant provides funds for overtime given to officers who participate in the programs, and allows us to dedicate officers to making the streets of Augusta safer.
In addition to these programs, officers with the department are routinely patrolling the city and taking necessary actions to ensure that drivers adhere to traffic laws. To view the standard traffic ordinances adopted by the City of Augusta, click on the Traffic Ordinances link on the left side of your page. In addition, you can view fines associated with violations of these ordinances in the Fine Schedules page.
