Law enforcement agencies increasing patrols as Monterey Car Week continues

MONTEREY, Calif. (KION-TV): Monterey Car Week is in full effect and is bringing in a lot of people out of the area into the Central Coast to see classic and exotic cars.

The Monterey Police Department and CHP Monterey are just two of the many law enforcement agencies working to make sure drivers are driving safe.

"We have, a lot of extra staffing each day, we understand that, traffic can get hectic and come back up," said Lieutenant Jake Pinkas with the Monterey Police Department, "So we try to address it through traffic control and, make sure everybody's driving safely."

Last year during car week, the Monterey Police Department made 256 traffic stops, 176 citations, 8 vehicles towed and 10 arrests. Lieutenant Pinkas also wants to remind people that if they're driving recklessly, they will be held responsible.

"If you are, violating the, speed laws or reckless driving laws, racing laws, anything like that, we are going to address it." said Pinkas.

The Monterey Police Department is not the only agency bringing in additional staff, so is the California Highway Patrol.

"We're preparing to have all available officers on patrol," said CHP Monterey Public Information Officer, Saul Perez, "What that means is there will be higher presence of officers in roadways and highways."

And CHP Monterey Officer Perez said he just wants to remind people to be safe during car week.

"Don't drink and drive, be careful with your speed, as well with people coming in with their cars, do it with a safe speed." said Perez.

Monterey Police and the CHP said there's a lot of people in the Monterey Peninsula for the event. They suggest people give themselves more time to get to work or to pick up their kids from school, as traffic will likely be backed up.