The Union City Council approved a resolution on Nov. 19 to accept $92,000 in grant funding from the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to support traffic enforcement and safety initiatives. The grant, part of the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP), will allow the Union City Police Department (UCPD) to address ongoing issues such as impaired driving, distracted driving, and pedestrian and bicycle safety, which have been persistent concerns in the city.
Union City has faced significant traffic challenges due to heavy commuter volumes and a growing population. In 2023, the police department responded to 641 traffic collision calls, including two fatalities and 36 DUI arrests, according to UCPD Police Captain Andrew Holt. These numbers reflect a broader trend of traffic-related incidents that have plagued the city in recent years, including higher fatality rates in 2018 and 2019. Police Chief Jared Rinetti emphasized the importance of the grant, noting that it will enable the department to implement additional enforcement and education measures that would otherwise be limited by budget constraints.
The grant will fund various safety initiatives, including DUI checkpoints, enforcement in areas with frequent traffic violations and efforts to curb distracted driving. Educational programs will also be launched to teach youth about traffic safety, while police officers will receive additional training to enhance their enforcement capabilities. The funding is also earmarked for supplies and resources needed to execute these programs.
The $92,000 grant exceeded the city’s initial budget projection of $80,000, prompting adjustments to the 2024-2025 fiscal budget to account for the additional $12,000.
Newark introduces three new police officers
The Newark Police Department (NPD) has expanded its ranks with the addition of three new officers. Mayor Michael Hannon introduced Cydney Leath, Rodrigo Diaz-Perez and Evrett Shaffer during the Nov. 14th City Council meeting, highlighting their diverse backgrounds and dedication to public service.
“If we had the opportunity to scan the room for our residents of Newark, they would say, ‘That is the safest place for anybody to be in the city this evening,’” Mayor Hannon said jokingly.
Officer Cydney Leath
Officer Leath joined the NPD in September after graduating from the South Bay Regional Public Safety Training Academy. A kinesiology graduate from Cal State Northridge, Leath’s path to law enforcement was unconventional. She previously worked as a flight attendant for Delta and Norwegian airlines. During the pandemic, she demonstrated a commitment to community service, volunteering to help unhoused individuals access subsidized housing.
Officer Rodrigo Diaz-Perez
A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Officer Diaz-Perez also began his tenure with NPD in September, having completed training at the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office Regional Training Academy. He served as an artillery section chief from 2016 to 2020 before pursuing a degree in Administration of Justice at Las Positas College. Prior to joining law enforcement, Perez worked as a high-rise window washer for his family’s business.
Officer Evrett Shaffer
Rounding out the trio, Officer Shaffer brings nearly a decade of experience as an emergency medical technician (EMT) in Alameda County. After earning his EMT license at Las Positas College. Like his colleague Perez, he graduated from the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office Regional Training Academy before joining NPD in September.
