Uniformed Patrol Unit

The uniformed patrol unit consists of patrol officers conducting traffic enforcement and responding to calls for service. This unit consists of 3-4 marked police vehicles. The markings on the patrol cruisers have recently been changed to reflect a changing community.

The new markings on all patrol vehicles consist of black and silver reflective material with "SBPD" and "South Bloomfield Police" on each side of the cruiser. All material on the new packages are reflective, this increases the patrol officers safety while on traffic stops or working accident scenes. Also noticeable on the police vehicles are badges, which allow the department to pay respects when an officer is killed in the line of duty by displaying a mourning band across the badge. Police Cruiser numbers can be observed on the front bumper on each side of the vehicle and on the rear license plate. This allows each cruiser to be easily identified by other agencies as well as the public.

Officers assigned to this detail generally work local traffic problem areas as well as problem areas on USR 23. During peak times that have been observed by analyzing traffic reports, a pattern has formed indicating an increase in traffic accidents during specific time periods. During these times the public will generally observe patrol cruisers on USR 23 more so than normal times. This "high visibility effort" is a result of increased traffic accidents during peak hours, such as evening rush hour and times where there has been an increase in impaired driving

Strategic Traffic Enforcement Program (S.T.E.P.)

Unfortunately in the past the South Bloomfield Division of Police has been titled as a speed trap. This is unfortunate as all officers working traffic enforcement, work to increase the safety of not only the local communities but that of the general motoring public.

The S.T.E.P. enforcement allows officers to look at specific trouble areas reported by the community and respond by heavy enforcement during times conveyed by the public. Common speeding problem areas worked within the community consist of the following:

1. Northup Ave. between S. Union St and Cedar Cove (25 MPH)

2. Nelson Dr. between Ashville Rd and Crites Dr. (25 MPH)

3. S. Union St. between Northup Ave. and Bloomfield Hills Dr. (25 MPH)

4. Bloomfield Hills Dr. between USR 23 and Richard Ave. (25 MPH)

5. SR 316 between Scioto Landing and Danielson Circle (50 MPH)

6. SR 316 between USR 23 and Danielson Circle (35 MPH - School Drop off)

7. USR 23 Northbound between Little Walnut and Cooks Creek (55 MPH)

8. USR 23 Southbound between Cooks Creek and Little Walnut (55 MPH)

9. Ashville Rd. between USR 23 and Nelson Dr. (35 MPH)

S.T.E.P. also focuses on enforcement of other accident causing offenses such as failing to obey traffic control devices (red lights and stop signs), following to close, and failing to use turn signals during lane changes, or unsafe lane changes. These offenses have been common in the following areas and are worked by S.T.E.P. as needed:

1. USR 23 and SR 316 West (Traffic Light) - This intersection shows the highest amount of traffic accidents occurring

2. USR 23 and SR 316 East (Traffic Light)

3. Lee Rd and Crites Dr. (Stop Sign)

4. S. Union St. and W. Main St. (Stop Sign)

5. S. Union St. and W. Second St. (Stop Sign)

6. USR 23 between SR 316 W and Ashville Rd (Following To Close and Unsafe Lane Change) - Typically observed during rush hour and when impatient drivers are waiting on other drivers making left turns.

Please remember as State and Federal funding support other community S.T.E.P. programs, no funding has been pursued or attempted to assist in this enforcement. The increased traffic enforcement in these areas are done by patrol officers that want to see the community proud of the work the police department is doing, and to reduce accidents, as well as increase safety for those using the roadways.

If you would like to report an area to S.T.E.P. please click on the link below to report a problem traffic area.