MANSFIELD — Richland County Sheriff J. Steve Sheldon announced Wednesday the Ohio Department of Public Safety’s (ODPS) Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO) awarded $82,442.42 in federal traffic safety funding to the Sheriff’s Office for federal fiscal year 2026-2027.
“These funds are critical in ensuring that we are working diligently to keep our local roadways safe,” Sheldon said. “Reducing traffic accidents, speeding, impaired driving, and other traffic related violations while increasing seatbelt usage is a priority for our Office.
“We are committed to working with our local and State partners to address these safety issues.”
The funds are passed through OTSO from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to support the efforts of safety partners statewide and focus on traffic safety priority areas such as restraint use, impaired driving, motorcycle safety and youthful drivers.
Competitive grant proposals are accepted and reviewed by OTSO, with funds awarded to projects that will have the greatest impact on reducing fatal crashes or significantly improving traffic safety systems.