The Union City

Police Department has added another award to its long list of achievements.

The department

took first place honors in the 31-50 officer category of the 2001 Georgia

Governor's Challenge.

The department's

participation in the Click-It and Ticket program resulted, said Sergeant

George Louth, in an economic savings of almost $1 million by reducing

injuries in traffic crashes. Union City also had no traffic fatalities

in 2001.

"The seat

belt use rate was up, reducing injuries and fatalities," said Louth.

The city received

an "in-car video camera" for its efforts in highway safety.

Applicants

for the award were judged based on an extensive list of criteria relating

to training for officers, policies and guidelines, enforcement activities,

effectiveness of efforts, public information and education and the quality

of their submission.

"I am

proud of these guys," said Police Chief Mike Isome "They're

putting Union City on the map in a positive way."

Earlier in

the year, Louth and the Union City Police Department received high praise

from the Governor's Office of Highway Safety at a City Council Meeting.

Law Enforcement Specialist Tim Roberts from GOHS presented Louth, Public

Safety Director B. L. Fronebarger and the Mayor and Council with two awards

thanking them for their strong support and participation in numerous projects.

The mission

of the GOHS is "to educate the public on highway safety issues and

to facilitate the implementation of programs that reduce crashes,injuries

and fatalities on Georgia roadways."

GOHS has been

around for well over 20 years and, initially a metro-Atlanta project,

has grown to encompass the whole state.

The state is

divided into 16 "traffic networks." Sgt. Louth is the Law Enforcement

Coordinator for the traffic network which includes DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett,

Cobb, Cherokee, Fayette, Clayton and Henry counties.

The commercial

promoting the "Click It or Ticket" initiative currently underway

across Georgia was filmed in Union City behind Shannon Mall.

The little

red-headed girl in the back seat of the car in the commercial is Louth's

stepdaughter.

Sheriff's deputies

and local police have participated in a statewide crackdown on drivers

who fail to buckle up children or buckle up children. Road checks are

being conducted at points all over the state and citations issued to drivers

in violation of Georgia's seat belt and child restraint laws.

Roberts said

Union City "bent over backwards" to help make the Click It or

Ticket video. The video was previewed at the City Council meeting.

GOHS also awarded

Union City with $18,750 in "incentives." The police department

received two P.A.S. flashlights, five Alco sensors, four radars, a traffic

safety laser, an in-car video system and 20 child booster seats.

Fifty more

child booster seats were given to the department.

The department

placed second statewide in the February 2001 enforcement wave and first

in the July 4th 2001 week wave. The various phases of GOHS programs, such

as the Click It or Ticket checks and Operation Zero Tolerance, are called

waves.