DIXFIELD – The Dixfield Police Department’s first week or so of a 13-day clampdown on drivers who don’t buckle up has resulted in 36 summonses for not using safety belts, and another 12 warnings for improperly wearing the devices.

Sgt. Jeff Howe said the Maine Bureau of Public Safety’s $1,808 grant has enabled the department to assign several special patrols that focus on searching for people not wearing or improperly wearing safety belts.

He said this year’s number, so far, is comparable to past years. Extra patrols on alert for safety belt infractions will end May 31.

Those who are ticketed are subject to a $70 fine. This is the fourth year the department has received the safety belt grant.

The department also has extra patrols assigned to meet the requirements of another Bureau of Public Safety grant for $4,909. From May 8 through Sept. 14, additional four-hour patrols are assigned to speeding, particularly in the Main Street and Weld Street areas, as well as the Canton Point Road and side streets as appropriate. This is the first year for the speed control grant.

Howe said 32 warnings and nine speeding tickets have been issued so far. More frequent four-hour speed patrols are likely to take place during the summer months.

He said the Memorial Day weekend generally does not include a great amount of speeding. He said the heavy traffic usually slows down drivers.

Speeding tickets or warnings have also generated summons for other traffic violations, Howe said, including operating after license suspension.