Police Chief Ed Ormonde announced at the Ripon City Council meeting earlier this week that the Saturation Traffic Enforcement (STEP) Team would be in town.

This joint operation consisting of the Ripon Police Department, working in conjunction with neighboring Manteca Police Department and the California Highway Patrol in Stockton, issued 82 citations Thursday for various hazardous vehicle code violations during an eight-hour span.

Sgt. Paul Staley led the efforts in Ripon.

According to local police, motorists were cited for failing to properly halt at stop signs, talking on their cell phone, driving at excessive speeds, making unsafe turning movements, and being unlicensed drivers.

The goal for STEP is to “decrease traffic collisions through proactive enforcement efforts focused on hazardous moving violations.” Operations will move from city to city, monthly.

Officers were deployed to areas in Ripon identified as problematic based on statistical data as well as citizen complaints – that ranged from, but not limited to, red light, speed, stop sign, and other distracted driving violations.

Ripon police continues to be committed to safer roadways. This includes reducing the number traffic collision, related injuries, and facilitating the safe and expedient flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic.