A two-week seatbelt enforcement campaign was carried out by Redding Police recently.  Chief Douglas Fuchs said yesterday that officer handed out 54 tickets or warnings during the safety effort, which ended on Friday. 

Two officers in unmarked patrol cars were stationed at four different locations during the campaign.  The state Department of Transportation provided Redding Police with a grant to cover the overtime costs for the 8 shifts. 

Fuchs says that according to state researchers tasked with making such observations, seat belt use rates in Redding have gone down.  He says it's such an easy way to prevent injuries and save lives.