On Nov 8, the Bulverde Police Department received its 2008 selective traffic enforcement program (STEP) grant, which is awarded to police departments that identify problem areas in their jurisdictions which might benefit from a greater traffic enforcement effort.

The first enforcement event is set for this Thanksgiving Holiday period. Additional Bulverde police officers will be on patrol enforcing all traffic laws, with special emphasis on speed violations.

Help our Police Depart-ment make Thanks-giving a great holiday by driving safely and observing all traffic laws.

Speaking of traffic enforcement, there are times that people complain about enforcement of the speed limit. Whether one is speeding 1 mile, 10 miles or 25 miles per hour over the speed limit, it is still speeding and violation of the law. I review the monthly speeding ticket report on a regular basis and can say, with certainty, that the Bulverde Police Department is far more lenient that many other departments in regard to the issuance of speeding tickets.

Residents want our police department to keep them safe and ask for extra police patrols on streets and highways due to the speeders. In a way, our police department is in a no-win situation by enforcing traffic laws but also being criticized at times for the enforcement.

A few examples of tickets are: On Oct. 24, a driver was cited for driving 114 mph in a 65 mph zone. Another driver was cited on Sept. 5 for driving 54 mph in a 20 mph school zone. Yet another cited one for 54 mph in a 35 mph zone (perhaps on the residential street you live on). These examples are not rare; the number of drivers ticketed for 85 mph or more is alarming and should concern all of us who drive on the same roadways as they do.

The Bulverde Police Depart-ment is a very professional, sincere and hard working force which is dedicated to insuring the safety of residents and travelers alike.

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Resident response to the twice a week trash collection indicates there is no need to pursue this matter.

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I wish everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving. Please remember all those who can’t be home for the holidays, especially our service men and women. As we begin this holiday season, please know that even a simple greeting card or e-mail to a service member away from home will make such a great difference.