SIDNEY – The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office reports Special Traffic Enforcement Program enforcement for the holiday season.

STEP is a statewide, high visibility enforcement that includes events scheduled in waves in connection with national mobilization campaigns. These events call for heightened traffic enforcement with an emphasis on safety belt use.

Enforcements are planned Nov. 14 to 27 and Dec. 15 to Jan. 1.

A sheriff’s office press release says deputies will be doing several projects with the Iowa State Patrol in the county, including seatbelt enforcement.

Release: “Many times, when we are doing seatbelt enforcement, we hear that wearing one should be ‘my choice.’ But not wearing one can have many immediate side effects, death or disability. Trauma to family and friends to the loss of a loved one. Along with financial loss and the stability of a household.”

The sheriff’s also says a STEP grant is expected to help replace the camera system in a patrol vehicle. The sheriff’s office says current camera systems are becoming obsolete and will be discontinued in 2024. The cost to replace the camera system in each patrol car is $5,000.