08/15/2026
I’m extremely proud that our Chatham Borough Police Department is joining in the statewide “Goal Zero” effort to end traffic/pedestrian fatalities. It is all the more powerful that we are honoring our own Patti Smith Barrett whose life was tragically cut short earlier this year in a preventable accident. Pay attention, slow down and save lives!🙏
Chief Gibbons would like to advise residents that the Chatham Borough Police Department will be participating in a statewide Goal Zero traffic safety enforcement detail on Saturday, August 15, 2026. This initiative is part of the broader Goal Zero campaign, which aims to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries through a combination of education, public awareness, and coordinated enforcement efforts.
This mid-summer saturation detail will be conducted in memory of Chatham resident Patti Smith Barrett, whose life was tragically lost following a pedestrian motor vehicle crash earlier this year.
As part of the initiative, officers will conduct high-visibility enforcement operations throughout the day and evening, focusing on traffic violations that place pedestrians, bicyclists, and other roadway users at risk. Violations such as distracted driving, careless driving, speeding, failure to yield, and other hazardous driving behaviors will be strictly enforced.
The purpose of the campaign is not simply enforcement. It is an opportunity to encourage every driver to make a conscious decision each time they get behind the wheel to adopt safe and responsible driving habits that protect everyone on our roadways.
Put the phone down. Slow down. Stay alert. Drive sober. Watch for pedestrians and bicyclists.
ZERO DEATHS. ZERO INJURIES. ZERO CRASHES. GOAL ZERO!
