The streets of Baltimore are set to become safer with the Baltimore Police Department's recent deployment of the Citywide Traffic Team (CTT), a squad of officers focused on curbing dangerous driving across the city. Established on January 18, the CTT has been addressing a broad scope of traffic concerns, from speeding to reckless driving, and has carried out over 400 traffic stops, issuing nearly 370 citations thus far. Their efforts are not only enforcement but also include education, paired with outreach and longer-term strategies for improving road safety.
Notably, the CTT tackles improper use of Virginia license plates by Maryland residents, an issue that has led to nearly 11,000 citations and has been pegged as a significant revenue loss for the city due to unpaid violations. The team's proactive enforcement actions also extend to addressing areas of repeated traffic offenses like intersections, school zones, and pedestrian crossings marked by serious or deadly crashes, and this approach is in part fueled by incoming tips from residents regarding aggressive driving hotspots. Since their operations commenced, the CTT has tallied up 72 repair orders, 334 warnings, 10 parking citations, and their diligence also resulted in one DUI arrest, CBS News Baltimore reported.
In an endeavor to witness the CTT in action, WBAL-TV received exclusive access, observing how officers like Ian Meertens, a 22-year veteran with the department, strive not only to enforce but also to educate the public on safer traffic behaviors. "Our goal is not to go out and ticket everybody, but it's also to educate," Meertens conveyed his balanced approach during the ride-along. Commissioner Richard Worley emphasized the targeting of high-profile areas and his personal focus on the city's downtown issues, including illegal parking and the prevalence of "blocking the box" incidents.
