The Midland Police Department and the City of Midland have launched the Safe Passage Initiative to improve traffic safety and reduce collisions across the city.
The Safe Passage Initiative includes targeted enforcement at high-risk locations, resource allocation, and data collection to assess the program's effectiveness. One key component of the initiative is "Operation Intersection Intervention," which focuses on Midland's most dangerous intersections, including Midkiff and Wadley, Andrews Highway and Midland Drive, and Loop 250 and Andrews Highway, among others.
Since the operation began on June 17, Midland Police have conducted 1,956 traffic stops, issued 1,261 citations, and made 48 arrests. According to MPD, these efforts have resulted in a “noticeable decrease” in traffic collisions, with July reporting 181 crashes, the lowest number since January 2021. August saw 235 crashes, also a record low for that month.
"Midland is a great city, a thriving community, a family," said Interim Police Chief Greg Snow. "The Midland Police Department is committed to helping your family get home safely. Let’s watch out for each other. Drive considerately."
Along with traffic enforcement, the Safe Passage Initiative is credited with aiding in the suppression of other crimes. The MPD is working collaboratively with Code Enforcement, the City of Midland’s Legal Department, and other local, state, and federal agencies. The department also encourages residents to participate in community programs like Citizens on Patrol (COPS), the Citizens Police Academy, and the Youth Summer Camp.
The city will also host National Night Out on Oct. 1, encouraging residents to attend block parties aimed at fostering community engagement and enhancing safety.
City officials have praised the Safe Passage Initiative for its early success.
“Our Midland City Council and I place a strong priority on making Midland the safe and secure city we all want for our families and for our community,” said Mayor Lori Blong. “The Safe Passage Initiative has been an effective collaboration between our police department, code enforcement, traffic division, and several other key teams at the City of Midland. In the relatively short time that The Safe Passage Initiative has been in place, we are already seeing our accident counts and other crime and traffic incident statistics decline.
“Thanks to the collaborative efforts of our city teams, we believe these improved statistics will continue to improve, which will ultimately contribute to making Midland a safe and secure city, holding ourselves to a higher accountability today and into the future,” she said.
At-large Councilwoman Robin Poole contributes her thoughts on the Safe Passage Initiative, saying, “The MPD’s Safe Passage Initiative is a very tangible compliment to the larger Vision Zero Action Plan. The City of Midland is committed to safer roads and is taking diligent steps to eliminate fatalities. I applaud the efforts of Interim Chief Snow to create safer streets to drive on, and my hope is that with increased enforcement and awareness, drivers will take the time to pay attention, slow down and ultimately be considerate of where they are and who they share the road with.
At-large Councilman Eric Davidson also credited the initiative for improving road safety. "As part of our Vision Zero Action Plan, our Midland Police Department, Code Enforcement and Traffic Division, have focused on making our streets and town safer through the Safe Passage Initiative,” said Davidson. “Our laser focus on the most dangerous intersections led to record traffic enforcement levels, and has resulted in a noticeable decrease in traffic collisions and overall crime in our community. We care deeply about the wellbeing of this community, and as we continue to execute on our Safe Passage Initiative we will see further increases in our road safety.”
“Thanks again to our Chief, Police Officers, City Staff and all those involved in rolling out our Safe Passage Initiatives, and showing how we continue to hold ourselves to the highest standards,” he said.