Chief Joins STEP Program

Watch out, Olney stop sign runners, seatbelt scofflaws, and speedsters!

Olney Police Chief Dan Birbeck asked the City Council on April 14 for permission to participate personally in the Texas Department of Transportation’s Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP), a high-visibility traffic enforcement grant aimed at improving roadway safety.

The grant reimburses local agencies for overtime spent enforcing laws related to seat belts, speeding, stop sign violations, and other traffic infractions.

Though department chiefs typically aren’t eligible due to salaried status, Chief Birbeck explained that TxDOT allows chiefs to participate if the hours are worked outside regular duty time.

“If I’m working this off-duty, it puts me out in the neighborhoods and on the highway more,” he said. “We’ve had [drug] arrests every time an officer has worked a STEP shift so far.”

The city was awarded $12,000 in grant funds but has only used a small portion due to scheduling conflicts. Chief Birbeck emphasized that joining the program would allow him to supplement officer participation and maximize the grant’s public safety impact without adding cost to the city.