MEXICO – The Mexico Police Department has received grants to help enforce the seat belt law, and to make filing accident reports more efficient and complete.

Sgt. Roy Hodsdon said the department received three laptop computers for installation in the three police cruisers from the Bureau of Highway Safety. Each is valued at $4,000.

The new technology replaces eight-year-old computers. The devices enable police officers to more quickly integrate crash data into the state’s system.

The second grant, for $1,904, allows the department to operate two, two-hour additional patrols each day between May 18 and May 31. These patrols are specifically for the enforcement of the state’s mandatory safety belt use law.

This is the fourth year the department has received a safety belt grant from the Bureau of Public Safety.

Hodsdon said either reserve or full-time officers will be conduct the patrols. He said a large percentage of people generally comply with the law.

Anyone not buckled up or buckled up improperly is subject to a $70 fine.