Recent resident surveys indicate that traffic-related issues are a top concern in our community. Traffic volume, commuter patterns, commercial vehicle travel, road repair detours and hazardous drivers are just a few of the traffic-related challenges of Manhattan Beach. The Manhattan Beach Traffic Officers partner with traffic engineers, community development specialists and community members to positively address these challenges.

Area Traffic Officer Program

In an effort to allow the Police Department’s Traffic Team to become aware and more responsive to community concerns, the concept of "Area" Traffic Officers was initiated. The City of Manhattan Beach is divided into four areas. Each of these areas has a Traffic Officer who is responsible for investigating and resolving traffic related concerns or complaints. The "Area" Traffic Officers solicit the support of the patrol officers and work as a team to address issues within their specific area. The "Area" Traffic Officers initiate problem-solving strategies with neighborhood residents and provide aggressive enforcement when appropriate.

In order to elevate levels of customer service, the community now has access to the e-mail addresses and phone extensions of their "Area" Traffic Officers. These communication tools enable community members to provide information to their assigned officer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This access allows residents to directly voice their concerns and have direct contact with the Traffic Officer assigned to their area.

The long-term responsibility for a specific area enhances the officers' understanding of the community and allows them to focus their attention on particular neighborhood issues. This program also encourages officers to establish relationships with the residents and provides them with a heightened awareness of the people and activities in their area. Contact with the community provides familiarity and allows the officers to develop a sense of ownership, thereby positively impacting traffic issues. Additionally, "Area" Traffic Officers will utilize project forms to assess problems and log information pertaining to construction projects, traffic collision data, etc.

Area Traffic Officers have access to two mobile radar trailers and one mobile message board to deploy in identified areas of traffic concern.  Area Traffic Officers also have access to decoy police units that can be strategically placed to assist with traffic calming.  These tools give visual feedback regarding motorist speed and alert drivers to approaching traffic hazards and areas of traffic congestion.

Community members can contact Area Traffic Officers directly to request that a radar trailer, message board, or decoy police car be deployed in their neighborhood.

• Contact the AREA 1 Traffic Officer
• Contact the AREA 2 Traffic Officer
• Contact the AREA 3 Traffic Officer
• Contact the AREA 4 Traffic Officer

D.E.T.E.R. Program

Concerns over pedestrian safety from Manhattan Beach residents, specifically in the business regions, has brought about the implementation of a program designed to educate the public on pedestrian safety. The Manhattan Beach Police Traffic Section is embarked in a program known as D.E.T.E.R. (Directed Enforcement To Educate Right-of-way offenders).

The program targets uncontrolled intersections that have high volumes of vehicular travel and pedestrian crossings. This program has both an education and enforcement component. Educational measures will occur through message boards, literature and brochures, and information on our website.

Two issues being addressed include directed enforcement of motorists who fail to stop for pedestrians and education information for both motorists and pedestrians. Area Traffic Officers will be patrolling and taking enforcement measures when appropriate.