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Crash Investigation Team Becomes Better Equipped to Reconstruct Traffic Accidents

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BPD is unveiling its brand new crash reconstruction vehicle. Funded with a $20,000 grant from the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety, BPD’s highly-trained crash reconstructionists now have a top of the line tool to reconstruct serious or fatal traffic accidents. BPD won the grant because Bellevue citizens increased their seatbelt use the most out of any city surveyed during "Click It or Ticket" and "Buckle Up In Your Truck" campaigns last year.

The crash reconstruction vehicle consists of a 16-foot cargo trailer and equipment that includes special signage, lighting, evidence marking tents, reflective vests, measuring tools, traffic cones, and a generator. Additionally, there’s a geographic positioning system (GPS) and a "total station" set-up for surveying.

Captain Herb Evers is the road patrol commander and has made traffic and highway road safety a focus of his career. He explained that all of the new equipment will make the crash investigation process more efficient. He added, "with this equipment, in the event of a serious crash, we will tie up traffic for a lot less time and produce evidence for prosecution of criminal cases that we’ve not been able to produce before."

The officers who will run the equipment are crash reconstructionists. They all have successfully completed several courses totalling over 400 hours of training in traffic accident investigation, reconstruction, surveying and computer software that recreates an accident with 3D animation techniques. Those officers include Sergeants Joe Milos and Larry Lampman as well as Officers Reed, Lowery, Gray and Pestle. Jack Gardner of Gardner Trailers in South Omaha made it possible for the department to purchase the trailer at factory cost.

Bellevue Gears Up for National Night Out 2008

Plans are progressing for the 25th annual celebration National Night Out (NNO) 2008 on August 5th. The Bellevue Police Department hopes this year's celebration will break previous block party attendance records. Community Policing Coordinator Glen Truax said, "We had 55 block parties last year, and I know we can do better this year." Truax begins planning for NNO in January each year. Nationally, charitable giving is down due to a sluggish economy, but here in Bellevue, area businesses have stepped up again to support the annual crime prevention event.

To host a block party, call Glen Truax at 637-5852. There are a lot of incentives for hosting. First and foremost, you get to meet your neighbors. Additionally, the Police Department provides a $25 certificate good for party food items at WalMart, NNO t-shirts, and other free items. All block party hosts will be eligible to receive valuable thank-you gifts after NNO during a random drawing. The grand prize winner last year received a gas grill donated by Westlake Hardware.

Don't miss the opportunity to give crime a "going away party," and call today to host a party. You are eligible if you live in the city limits of Bellevue or you are served by the Bellevue Fire Department. Call Glen Truax at 637-5852.

Photo: McGruff with 2007 National Night Out Party-Goers