Alhambra Car Accidents Benefit From Community-Oriented Policing

Alhambra in Los Angeles County, California, has a population of 86,352, which is growing less that two percent annually. Despite this modest growth Alhambra car accidents and car-related injuries have not been so modest.

"Like many Southland cities with an expanding town center and a middle class populace who respect traffic laws, Alhambra car collisions seem to inch up every year," noted car accident attorney John Bisnar.

Between 2001 and 2003, 15 people were killed in car accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In 2004, four fatalities and 192 injury car accidents were reported in Alhambra. In 2006, the California Highway Patrol's Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) reported eight traffic deaths and 409 people injuries. DUI car crashes caused three deaths and 21 injuries. Three pedestrians were killed and 31 were injured in Alhambra car crashes. Finally, two motorcyclists lost their lives and 11 were injured on city streets.

In 2007, 13 Alhambra car accidents resulted in nine deaths. Also in 2007, the city ticketed 4,403 motorists for moving violations, conducted 211 hit and run investigations, seven DUI checkpoints and three pedestrian decoy stings.

To keep city streets safer, Alhambra initiated a proactive enforcement strategy. Alhambra's Community Oriented Policing and multi-agency approach to vehicular and pedestrian safety, enforcement and education includes:

Increase sworn officer staffing by one motor or traffic car position

Conduct monthly DUI checkpoints (12 per year)

Conduct nine Pedestrian Decoy operations

Conduct three multi-lingual DUI education presentations

Deploy radar trailers four times per week as a visual deterrent against speeders

Alhambra also set up alcohol/drug education presentations at high schools to make proms and graduation activities safer. In addition, other primary and secondary schools were made aware of the city's School Valet parking program (coned-off Valet Parking Zones in front of the school for quick loading and unloading of students only).

"Programs like these can help reduce the number of Alhambra car accidents," said John Bisnar.

Be on the Hit-and-Run Lookout

BISNAR | CHASE, in conjunction with WeTip, a leading anonymous crime reporting service and law enforcement advocacy non-profit organization, is launching a program intended to wipe out hit-and-runs in the state of California by offering rewards for tips leading to the arrest and felony conviction of hit-and-run drivers. See Hit-and-Run Reward for more details.

BISNAR | CHASE 2006-2010 Super Lawyers names outstanding lawyers from more than 60 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. BISNAR | CHASE has received this award for five consecutive years. Brian Chase was named one of the 2010 Top 50 Orange County Lawyers.