After record fatal crashes in 2024, Salem police plan to focus on traffic safety

The Salem Police Department will focus on addressing traffic safety for the next three years after responding to a record 21 fatal crashes during 2024. 

The new focus is part of the department’s upcoming strategic plan for 2025-27, which will be released at the end of March, according to department spokeswoman Angela Hedrick. It includes having all patrol officers focus on traffic enforcement, not just those assigned to a department traffic team.

The emphasis on traffic…