30-04-2025
Powell police boosting traffic patrol
POWELL, Ohio (WCMH) — The city of Powell is working to enhance safety along the Sawmill Parkway corridor by launching a high-visibility traffic enforcement initiative called the S.A.F.E. (Sawmill Parkway Awareness and Focused Enforcement) Passage Initiative to increase visibility and build a culture of traffic safety.
Powell Police Chief Ron Sallows said community awareness and public education is one of the main focuses behind the proactive approach. He wants the community to know the police department is responsive and listening to their complaints.
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The effort is being led by the Powell Police Department, which will target the stretch of Sawmill Parkway between Seldom Seen Road and Home Road. At 45 miles per hour, the area has the highest speed limit in the city and a history of serious traffic incidents.
'Through a community attitude survey last year, our community told us that they were they were concerned about this particular roadway,' Sallows said.
According to Sallows, there have been two serious fatalities along the stretch within the last three years.
'The initiative is just not focused solely on speeding,' Sallows said. 'It's aggressive driving. It is distracted driving. It is making sure that we're out there and engaging our community to let them know when they're doing something or when their behavior is unsafe.'
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Sallows said the department will be stepping up its enforcement and visibility. Officers will proactively conduct traffic stops for speed and reckless driving violations.
'About a little over a year ago, we were about 25% of our patrol staff was out, had retired and left the force,' Sallows said. 'We have recently hired eight people over the last year. So, we have some additional resources that we haven't had in the past to dedicate to this.'
The S.A.F.E. Passage Initiative will run over the next four months, beginning May 1. Focused operations will take place during major holiday weekends, including Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day to address seatbelt use, general traffic safety and impaired driving.
'We've got a Stealthstat device that actually measures the speed and the amount of traffic along this roadway,' Sallows said. 'So, we've done an assessment of that already and then periodically through this campaign, we'll reassess that roadway and will determine if we're having an effect on it.'
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According to Sallows, data from citations and speed monitoring devices will be collected and analyzed, with monthly updates shared publicly to maintain transparency and accountability.
'We want you to get through the city of Powell safe,' Sallows said.
The S.A.F.E. Passage Initiative will last through Labor Day. Powell police officers will work with the Delaware County Sheriff's Office and the Ohio State Highway Patrol to extend enforcement along the full length of Sawmill Parkway.
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