By Rockland Daily Staff

The Ramapo Police Department has responded to a recent Rockland Daily reader letter calling for stronger enforcement against commercial truck traffic on Carlton Road and other residential streets.

In a statement provided to Rockland Daily, the department addressed the concerns raised by residents and outlined its ongoing enforcement efforts:

The Town of Ramapo appreciates residents taking the time to voice concerns regarding commercial truck traffic in our neighborhoods. While the writer cites the Village of Montebello as an example of strong enforcement of truck restrictions, it is important to note that the Ramapo Police Department also provides police services to the Village of Montebello. The same officers and traffic enforcement resources that patrol Montebello are responsible for enforcement throughout the Town of Ramapo and all communities we serve.

The Ramapo Police Department maintains a dedicated Traffic Safety Unit (TSU) that addresses a wide range of vehicle and traffic-related concerns throughout the Town. These responsibilities include enforcement related to speeding, stop sign and red-light violations, commercial vehicle restrictions, parking complaints, suspended or revoked operation, driving while intoxicated or impaired, and numerous other traffic safety matters that impact the quality of life in our communities. Over the past year, Ramapo police issued 16,816 traffic citations. At the same time, our officers must continually balance competing priorities and respond to the many public safety and quality-of-life concerns brought forward by the communities we serve.

Our Traffic Safety Unit routinely conducts targeted enforcement in areas where concerns and are reported, and we will be addressing the issues raised in the Carlton Road area as part of those ongoing efforts. Over the past year, the unit conducted 15 targeted initiatives focused specifically on commercial vehicle restrictions, combining education for drivers and operators with enforcement measures. Those efforts resulted in the issuance of nine citations to commercial vehicles operating on roadways where truck traffic was prohibited. And in addition to that, RPD partnered with the New York State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit on a comprehensive truck enforcement detail. During that operation, commercial vehicles were inspected, weighed, and cited by State Police commercial vehicle enforcement troopers.

Residents are encouraged to follow the Ramapo Police Department's social media platforms, where we regularly share the results of targeted enforcement initiatives involving commercial vehicle traffic and other quality-of-life concerns throughout the Town. As we conduct additional enforcement efforts in the Carlton Road area, we will likewise share the results with the community, so residents remain informed about our actions and our continued commitment to improving safety and quality of life in our neighborhoods.