The Hopkinton Police Department will expand its capacity for traffic enforcement thanks to a federal grant.

The Municipal Road Safety Grant Program recently awarded the HPD nearly $35,000 to support targeted traffic enforcement and safety initiatives in the community. The program is intended to help local police departments address community traffic safety issues through solutions such as enforcement, equipment and other safety initiatives.

Around $3,500 of the grant will be used to purchase a new radar sign that helps track and display vehicle speeds. The remaining $31,500 will be allocated to funding overtime shifts focused solely on traffic enforcement. “Officers assigned to these shifts will conduct highly visible enforcement in specific areas to promote safe driving and reduce crashes,” the HPD stated in a press release.

Hopkinton Police also plan to participate in safety campaigns sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. These campaigns are focused on issues like impaired driving, distracted driving and speeding.

In the press release, HPD Chief Joseph Bennett commended Lieutenant Aaron O’Neil and Sgt. Cody Normandin for their work in obtaining the grant funding.