Van Zandt County approves two state traffic‑enforcement grants for sheriff's deputies

Van Zandt County commissioners on Tuesday approved two state traffic‑enforcement grants that will let deputies earn higher pay while working targeted enforcement windows.

The sheriff's office requested participation in the Operation Slowdown campaign (focused on speeding) and the Click It or Ticket campaign (seatbelt enforcement). A county representative said the programs fund overtime pay during state campaign weeks and identified daytime and nighttime enforcement zones that may include Interstate 20, U.S. Highway 80 and county roads. The representative said zone selection is based on historical crash data available from public sources and that deputies will receive training required by the grants.

The court discussed logistics, including which locations to assign as the 'day' and 'night' enforcement areas, how the grants handle fringe and benefit costs, and whether deputies could act on other observed violations while working the grant (the representative said deputies may issue citations or warnings and should note other violations on citations). Commissioners noted this is a new program for the sheriff's office in Van Zandt County and that it supplements income rather than creating new positions.

Both motions — to approve the Operation Slowdown grant documents and to approve the Click It or Ticket grant documents and authorize the county judge to sign — were made, seconded and approved by the court.

The court did not give a complete, clear total for the grant amounts in the public discussion; the packet referenced grant figures that were not audibly clear in the transcript. The sheriff's office will return to the court with final paperwork for signatures as required.