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Delta police seek more resources for South Fraser Perimeter Road

Local lobby looks for provincial funding to increase traffic enforcement on new highway
sfpr
The Delta Police Department picked up the responsibility for the South Fraser Perimeter Road when it opened in late 2013.

The Delta police board is seeking more resources for Delta police traffic enforcement on the South Fraser Perimeter Road.

Traffic issues were the focal point of discussion during the release of monthly crime statistics at last Wednesday's police board meeting.

Deputy Chief Lyle Beaudoin said a new patrol support team has been deployed, which will be working in high traffic areas of the highway.

He added the South Fraser Perimeter Road continues to be a high concern, especially with heavy truck traffic.

"As it stands now, we have the responsibility for the SFPR. We do initiatives on the road, but we are slowly looking towards more enforcement," said Beaudoin.

Chief Neil Dubord said it's difficult to conduct speed enforcement on the highway, which opened in late 2013.

"The side alleys on the road are very small. There are only certain areas where it is safe to pull over," Dubord said. "Just a few days ago a driver was stopped going 136 km/h in an 80 km/h zone. The speeds are incredible."

Board chair Mayor Lois Jackson encouraged the police board to write a letter to Delta council seeking its support in lobbying the provincial government for more funding for the DPD.

"Politician to politician, our council to the province, I think it can be effective, so I urge this board to take that approach," said Jackson. "The speed and the accidents are increasing. We just saw another fatality involving a truck driver and I don't know if that was connected to the SFPR, but something has to be done."

Following the discussion, the board approved a motion to write a letter to Delta council so further provincial lobbying could begin.

With the provincial government currently in a state of flux pending the full provincial election results, Dubord pointed out that it could take awhile before they get an audience with provincial officials, but thanked the board for its efforts on the issue.