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Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) / California Office of Traffic Safety / Grant Application / Fiscal Year 2025-26

Council File 25-1391

Under review — the city accepted a $6.4 million traffic safety grant in February, but a new $384,000 supplement for safer traffic stop training is currently pending committee approval before the funds can be formally allocated.

Introduced
2025-11-21
Last changed
2026-06-09
Status
open
Expires
2028-06-08
Committee
Budget and Finance Committee
Initiated by
Board of Police Commissioners
References
Board Report: 25-307; 26-039City Administrative Officer Report: 0130-01926-0019; 0130-01926-0020

Brief

The Board of Police Commissioners submitted an application for California Office of Traffic Safety grant funding to support the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) for fiscal year 2025-26. STEP focuses traffic enforcement on corridors and intersections with high rates of traffic collisions and injuries. Council adopted the item on February 11, 2026 by a 9-3-3 vote. A subsequent CAO document submitted in June 2026 has been referred back to both Budget and Finance and Public Safety committees, suggesting a follow-up grant application or continuation request is under review.

Full summary

The Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) is a state-funded initiative that directs LAPD traffic enforcement toward streets and intersections with the highest rates of collisions and injuries. The California Office of Traffic Safety originally awarded the LAPD $6,405,000 for the 2025-26 fiscal year to support this work. The Board of Police Commissioners initiated this Council file in November 2025 to authorize the grant application and the City's acceptance of those funds. The file moved through the Budget and Finance Committee and Public Safety Committee simultaneously. The Public Safety Committee forwarded the item without a recommendation in January 2026, signaling divided views among its members. Budget and Finance approved it on February 3, 2026. Council adopted the item on February 11, 2026 by a 9-3-3 vote, with Councilmembers John Lee and Bob Blumenfield presenting and seconding the motion. The Mayor concurred and Council action became final on February 17, 2026. After the original grant was approved, the State of California added $384,203 in supplemental funding, bringing the total grant to $6,789,203. The supplemental award, received in early 2026, is earmarked for Safer Traffic Stops training for law enforcement officers, public presentations on safer traffic stop practices, and production of an educational video demonstrating proper conduct during traffic stops. Of the $384,203, approximately $364,203 will cover sworn officer overtime and fringe benefits, and $20,000 will cover printing and duplication expenses. No city matching funds are required for any portion of the grant. In June 2026, City Administrative Officer Matthew Szabo submitted a report recommending the Council retroactively authorize the Chief of Police to accept the supplemental funding and execute a revised grant agreement with the state. That recommendation, along with the associated budget adjustments authorizing the Controller to increase appropriations in the Police Department Grant Trust Fund, was referred to the Budget and Finance and Public Safety committees on June 9, 2026, where it currently awaits action. The file remains open through June 2028.

Activity (16)

  • 2026-06-09 City Administrative Officer document(s) referred to Budget and Finance Committee; Public Safety Committee.
  • 2026-06-08 Document submitted by City Administrative Officer, dated June 8, 2026.
  • 2026-02-23 Board of Police Commissioners document(s) referred to Budget and Finance Committee; Public Safety Committee.
  • 2026-02-20 Document submitted by Board of Police Commissioners, dated February 20, 2026.
  • 2026-02-17 Council action final.
  • 2026-02-13 City Clerk transmitted file to Mayor. Last day for Mayor to act is February 23, 2026.
  • 2026-02-11 Council adopted item, subject to reconsideration, pursuant to Council Rule 51.
  • 2026-02-06 City Clerk scheduled item for Council on February 11, 2026.
  • 2026-02-03 Budget and Finance Committee approved item(s) .
  • 2026-01-30 Budget and Finance Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on February 3, 2026.
  • 2026-01-14 Public Safety Committee submits report to Council without recommendation .
  • 2026-01-09 Public Safety Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on January 14, 2026.
  • 2025-12-18 City Administrative Officer document(s) referred to Budget and Finance Committee; Public Safety Committee.
  • 2025-12-18 Document submitted by City Administrative Officer, dated December 18, 2025.
  • 2025-11-24 Board of Police Commissioners document(s) referred to Budget and Finance Committee; Public Safety Committee.
  • 2025-11-21 Document submitted by Board of Police Commissioners, dated November 21, 2025.

Documents (8)

Council votes (1)

  • 2026-02-11 Vote — 9-3-3 · Regular

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