The California Office of Traffic Safety has awarded the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office a major grant to strengthen enforcement, reduce crash-related deaths and educate the public on road safety.
Here’s what’s happening
Read this especially if you’re tracking traffic enforcement programs, DUI prevention, or local government safety initiatives funded by state and federal agencies.
What Just Happened
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office has received a $455,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety. The money will be used to support a wide range of traffic enforcement and educational initiatives across five cities: Ojai, Fillmore, Camarillo, Moorpark and Thousand Oaks.
The grant, which runs through September 2026, is part of an ongoing effort to reduce serious injuries and fatalities on California roads through high-visibility enforcement and community education.
What the Grant Will Fund
The sheriff’s office outlined a comprehensive plan that includes both enforcement and education efforts:
- DUI checkpoints and saturation patrols to stop impaired drivers
- Distracted driving operations focusing on illegal cell phone use
- Crackdowns on high-risk violations like speeding, failure to yield, stop-sign running and improper turns
- Special patrols focused on protecting cyclists and pedestrians
- Public education efforts addressing speeding, distraction, impairment and vulnerable road users
- Collaboration with neighboring jurisdictions to coordinate enforcement
- Officer training in sobriety testing, drug recognition and roadside assessment
What Officials Are Saying
“We are grateful to receive this grant, which will strengthen our traffic enforcement efforts and improve road safety,” said Deputy Sheriff Bradley Bordon.
Stephanie Dougherty, Director of the Office of Traffic Safety, added, “By encouraging people to prioritize safety in their daily choices, we are creating a strong road safety culture together.”
Why This Matters
Road safety: fatal crashes are still one of the leading causes of death in California. Strategic enforcement has been shown to reduce collisions.
DUI prevention: as holiday season approaches, the focus on impaired driving becomes more urgent.
Local impact: each of the five cities will receive added resources for safer streets.
State investment: the funding shows how state-level agencies partner with local law enforcement to achieve long-term safety outcomes.
Community education: beyond tickets and arrests, the goal is to shape safer habits through outreach and awareness campaigns.
The Bottom Line
This grant represents a proactive approach to making Ventura County roads safer. By targeting the most dangerous driving behaviors and equipping officers with tools and training, the sheriff’s office hopes to reduce crashes and save lives.
Whether you're a driver, cyclist or pedestrian in Ventura County, this grant will likely affect how roads are policed and how safety messages are shared. It also signals how public safety dollars are being used at the local level in ways that directly impact daily life.