Full Notification

During the month of April the Police Department increased traffic efforts in a “zero tolerance” traffic enforcement campaign. The Department goals in this operation were to increase driver awareness and improve traffic safety in the community.

Our “zero tolerance” campaign correlated with Distracted Driving Awareness Month, a state-wide effort throughout California to reduce distracted driving related incidents.

Los Banos Police Officers issued citations for a variety of traffic safety violations including: speeding, red light violations, stop sign violations, seat belt violations and distracted driving. Officers issued more than 470 citations during this enforcement operation; 58 of the citations given were for distracted driving related offenses.

“We saw an increase in traffic collisions in April 2014 when compared to the previous month. When we see an increase in our traffic collision numbers, it only emphasizes the importance of these operations. I am pleased with the efforts of our Officers during this important, educational traffic safety campaign. We considered this operation a success and will continue these types of operations in the future.”
- Jason Hedden, Police Commander

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact Sergeant Ivan Mendez at (209) 827-7070 ext. 114 or by email at [email protected]

To leave an anonymous crime tip call 209-827-7070 Ext. 288. If you have access to a computer and the internet you can also leave an anonymous tip at the Police Department’s web page at www.losbanos.org. At the bottom of the “Contact” page simply click on the “report graffiti and other crime” link or visit the Merced Area Crime Stoppers by telephone at 1-855-725-2420, or at www.mercedareacrimestoppers.org

**Original Press Release - April 1, 2014**
Police to Conduct Second month-long “Zero Tolerance” Traffic Enforcement Operation

During the month of April you will see an increase in officers patrolling the streets of Los Banos in an effort to increase driver awareness and traffic safety. During September of last year, the Department completed a similar month-long operation.

“We considered September’s event a success; the increased patrols amounted to observable decreases in traffic accidents compared to the same month of the previous year and a reduction between months of the same year. Those numbers translate to less people killed or injured in traffic related incidents in our community.”
-Gary Brizzee, Chief of Police

Although some more heavily traveled areas of the city will be targeted, Officers will be dispatched throughout the city to conduct “zero tolerance” enforcement during all hours of the day.

The Department plans on utilizing all resources available to make sure there is a positive impact while at the same time educating the public about the rules of the road. In addition, the month of April has been designated as Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The Department will be participating alongside 200 other local and State law enforcement agencies, throughout California in an attempt to reduce distracted driving related incidents.

“We will be enforcing all traffic laws in an effort to make Los Banos roadways safer.”
-Ivan Mendez, Sergeant

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact Sergeant Ivan Mendez at (209) 827-7070 ext. 114 or by email at [email protected]

To leave an anonymous crime tip call 209-827-7070 Ext. 288. If you have access to a computer and the internet you can also leave an anonymous tip at the Police Department’s web page at www.losbanos.org. At the bottom of the “Contact” page simply click on the “report graffiti and other crime” link or visit the Merced Area Crime Stoppers by telephone at 1-855-725-2420, or at www.mercedareacrimestoppers.org