FOWLER TWP., Ohio - Fowler Police Chief Michael Currington announced that the Ohio Department of Public Safety's (ODPS) Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO) awarded the department $42,000 in federal traffic safety funding Friday.

The funding goes to the Fowler Police Department, as host of the Trumbull County Safe Communities Program for federal fiscal year 2020.

"Partnerships are critical to the success of any safety effort, and we are committed to working with safety partners to address traffic safety concerns in Trumbull County," said Currington.

Fowler Township officials say they have identified that education about traffic safety, seat belt use, distracted driving, sober driving, and the Safe Community Program have impacted the safety and welfare of the citizens of Trumbull County.

A release from the police department said, "To save lives and improve the quality of life for our citizens, Trumbull County Safe Communities will use the grant funds to attend events promoting traffic safety, offering educational and informational items as well as demonstrations."

Safe Communities also partners with the Ohio State Highway Patrol and other local police departments.

Officer Kevin Kuriatnyk will be in charge of the program as the Grant Coordinator in Fowler Township.