The Turlock Police Department has been awarded a $69,000 grant from the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) that will allow local law enforcement to crackdown on alcohol impaired drivers.

The grant, which was awarded under the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP), is intended to be used for enforcement and education programs that specifically target and reduce the number of people killed or injured in alcohol related collisions.

With the grant, the Turlock Police Department will be able to conduct DUI/driver’s license checkpoints, sting operations, directed patrols, and other similar operations.

The grant will provide for overtime costs, including benefits, for officers assigned to assist in the operations. In addition, equipment, training, and other associated costs will be reimbursed through the grant.

While the grant was awarded to the Turlock Police Department in June, it first needed to be accepted by the Turlock City Council. Council unanimously approved the grant at a recent, regularly scheduled meeting.

The one year grant period will begin Oct. 1 and ends on Sept. 30, 2016.