The Ville Platte Police Department received another grant that will allow officers to target speeders in the community, according to project director Venita Doucet.

The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission (LHSC) has awarded a grant to the Ville Platte Police Department for the third annual “Summer Heat” campaign, which will run July 11, through August 16. Throughout this period, the LHSC is sponsoring a statewide advertising campaign to raise awareness of the speeding issue. “We are asking law enforcement agencies across the state to join us in this effort by stepping up patrols dedicated to speeding and by sending the message to motorists in your community that speeding will not be tolerated,” John A. LeBlanc, executive director and Governor’s Highway Safety representative for LHSC, said.

“The goal of the annual Summer Heat campaign is to reduce the number of crash deaths and injuries during the summer. More than 5,300 speeders were issued tickets during last year’s campaign. We have timed the Summer Heat campaign to fall after the Fourth of July holiday and through the opening of schools - a period when many motorists take to the road for vacations,” LeBlanc added.

He commended the Ville Platte Police Department for taking part in the campaign and being a partner with LHSC in its efforts to save lives on Louisiana’s highways.