City relaunches initiative to enhance safety on Sawmill Parkway

Published on April 29, 2026

Officer Heading Monitoring Traffic 5.png

A high-visibility traffic enforcement initiative is kicking off in Powell for the second year running. The City is launching its S.A.F.E. (Sawmill Parkway Awareness and Focused Enforcement) Passage Initiative, a comprehensive effort by the Powell Police Department to enhance safety along the Sawmill Parkway corridor.

Through a combination of proactive policing, community education, and regional collaboration, the Powell Police Department will target the stretch of Sawmill Parkway between Seldom Seen Road and Home Road—an area with the highest speed limit and a history of serious traffic incidents. The initiative also responds to ongoing resident concerns regarding speeding, reckless driving, and disruptive vehicle noise.

“Our mission is clear: we will increase visibility, lower enforcement thresholds, and engage the public to ensure Sawmill Parkway is safe for everyone in Powell,” said Powell Chief of Police Ron Sallows. “This initiative is not only about enforcement—it’s about building a culture of traffic safety through awareness and partnership.”

Key components of the S.A.F.E. Passage Initiative include:

  • Increased Enforcement and Visibility: Officers will proactively conduct traffic stops for speed and reckless driving violations. Additional patrols and overtime staffing will ensure sustained coverage.

  • Community Awareness and Public Education: A dedicated social media campaign will highlight enforcement efforts and emphasize that while not all perceived issues are legal violations, confirmed infractions will be addressed firmly to protect the community.

  • Monitoring and Reporting: Data from citations and speed monitoring devices will be collected and analyzed, with monthly updates shared publicly to maintain transparency and accountability. Officers will use data to target times when speeds are the greatest.

  • Holiday Enforcement Campaigns: Focused operations will take place during major holiday weekends, including Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day, to address seatbelt use, general traffic safety, and impaired driving.

This year’s initiative builds off the success of 2025’s campaign which resulted in:

  • 31% fewer crashes versus summer 2024

  • 75% reduction in injury crashes versus summer 2024

  • 480 traffic stops (396 warnings and 84 citations)

Recognizing that traffic safety doesn’t stop at city borders, Powell officers will collaborate with the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office and the Ohio State Highway Patrol to extend enforcement along the full length of Sawmill Parkway.

"We’re turning up the visibility and lowering the tolerance for dangerous behavior, because everyone deserves to feel safe whether they’re behind the wheel, on a bike, or walking nearby,” said Sallows.

Powell Police Department offers the following safety tips for drivers:

  • Slow down, drive the speed limit and obey all posted traffic signs and signals.

  • Stop for pedestrians in crosswalks.

  • Be careful when passing buses or stopped vehicles.

  • When turning, yield to people walking and biking.

  • Look for cyclists before opening your door.

  • Allow at least three feet when passing cyclists.

  • Avoid using your cell phone and never text while driving.

The S.A.F.E. Passage Initiative will last through Labor Day (Monday, 9/7). Follow the City of Powell on social media for updates throughout the summer.

 

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