For their efforts in protecting bus riders across Putnam County, the Putnam County Sheriff's Department recently earned a Stop Arm Violation Enforcement grant through the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute. 

The grant's objective is to utilize high visibility enforcement in areas reported through a collaborative partnership among school corporations, law enforcement and bus drivers to identify areas where stop arm violations take place. 

Funding for the program allows deputies to work overtime and focus on enforcement efforts around school busses and school zones, with enforcement taking place during the start and end of the school day. 

Through May 9, the Putnam County Sheriff's Department has issued 16 stop arm violation citations, as well as 50 citations for speeding in a school zone or around a school bus, 21 stop sign/red light violation citations, 15 other traffic violations, 8 seat belt violations, 7 texting/distracted driving citations, and one each for equipment violations, driving left of center and driving while suspended.