The public’s safety on Longview streets is of the utmost importance to the Police Department. The primary responsible unit for this issue is the Traffic Unit. Nine motor officers, including one sergeant, mounted on Harley Davidson Road Kings serve this community with the strongest commitment to traffic safety. In addition to their enforcement responsibilities, the Traffic Unit officers are trained in advanced accident investigation and accident reconstruction. They are also responsible for follow-up investigations of hit and run accidents.

The Traffic Unit also provides escorts for funeral services taking the procession through the city safely with dignity. Escorts are also provided for dignitaries, such as the President of the United States and the Vice President. Traffic Unit officers share safety presentations with area youth. Citizens are always encouraged to report areas of concern to the Traffic Unit when violations of traffic laws endanger the public’s safety.

Traffic Unit officers regularly work the federally funded traffic safety grants (STEP) providing additional manpower hours of enforcement. While performing STEP duties officers concentrate on red lights, seat belt usage, speed compliance and DWI enforcement.

Commercial Motor Vehicle Enforcement Program-began in July of 2009.  The Longview Police Department currently has three officers certified as Commercial Motor Vehicle Enforcement Officers and the program is expected to grow in coming years.  The program has been made possible by a change in the law that now gives authorization to cities with a population of over 50,000 residents to begin an enforcement program.  The State of Texas made this change due to the ever increasing volume of commercial motor vehicles traveling through cities of Longview's size.  The goal of the program is to improve the safety of the public by deterring violations being committed by operators of large commercial vehicles.  The most common of these violations are vehicles that are over weight, have hazardous equipment violations or have operators that are exceeding their driving hours.  Commercial motor vehicles that are over weight are largely responsible for the damage caused to Longview City roadways and place a burden on Longview taxpayers for the repair of these damaged roads. 

In the first month of the Commercial Motor Vehicle Enforcement Program, 69 commercial vehicles were inspected.  Of those 69 vehicles, 218 violations were found and 18 of these vehicles were put out of service due to safety violations.

If you have a traffic related concern, please feel free to contact the Traffic Unit by calling 903.237.1196.  Online traffic complaints can be submitted here.