The Columbus Police Department recently received accolades for attaining the third highest number of N.C. Governor Highway Safety Program points in the state, Police Chief Chris Beddingfield told the Columbus Town Council on Jan. 15.
“We are extremely proud when we look at all the large agencies we go up against,” Beddingfield said.
The Columbus Police Department received recognition at the annual North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program Traffic Safety Symposium.
Beddingfield participated with more than 600 law enforcement officers, district attorneys, magistrates and judges from across the state at the organization’s annual symposium, co-sponsored by the N.C. Department of Transportation and the N.C. Governor Highway Safety Program. Local and national highway safety experts presented data on numerous topics, including texting while driving, bicycle and pedestrian issues, ignition interlocks and more.
The Governor’s Highway Safety Program awards points through participation in events related to traffic safety campaigns such as Booze It and Lose It, No Need 2 Speed, Click It or Ticket, and the BikeSafe NC motorcycle education program. The points can be redeemed for equipment, vehicles and other items related to traffic safety at no cost to the agency.  Being affiliated with the N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program provides resources for equipment that a small department otherwise could not attain. The Columbus Police Department was the first highest in points last year, Beddingfield said.
The Governor’s Highway Safety Program states that its mission is to promote highway safety awareness to reduce the number of traffic crashes and fatalities in the state of North Carolina through the planning and execution of safety program.