County police departments honored at AAA East Central Community Traffic Safety Awards
CRANBERRY TWP — Traffic in Cranberry Township has intensified in recent years, presenting new demands for officers like Lt. William Ahlgren who are tasked with keeping one of Pennsylvania’s communities safe.
“It’s not that it’s more difficult now — we’re just dealing with a lot more changing traffic dynamics with the amount of people that are coming through Cranberry to go to other areas that are now blossoming and growing as well,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of challenges we’re working through.”
His department, along with 88 other agencies from across Western Pennsylvania were recognized during the AAA East Central Community Traffic Safety Awards luncheon on Wednesday, Dec. 3, at Pittsburgh Marriott North.
Cranberry Township, Butler City and Northern Regional Police Departments were among more than 60 agencies that were awarded AAA’s highest distinction — the Platinum Award — for their efforts in reducing crashes and enhancing driver safety.
Pennsylvania State Police Troop D, which covers Butler County, was also recognized with a Platinum Award for its enforcement and education efforts.
“Everybody is really appreciative of it,” said Cranberry Township Police Chief Ken Ruckel, who started his new role Monday. “This is something nice that officers are able to take back and show the community what it is they do each and every day.”
Departments receiving the top-tier awards were described as leaders in traffic safety programming, with strategies that have helped reduce injuries and fatalities in their jurisdictions.
The annual awards program, which has gone on for more than 25 years, highlights police agencies that partner with AAA on education campaigns, child-passenger safety checks and other road safety initiatives that directly impact local communities.
“It’s a way for us to reward and acknowledge the often tireless and thankless job that they’re doing,” said Jim Garrity, AAA’s director of public affairs.
Local officers were commended for initiatives ranging from targeted enforcement in high-risk areas to community outreach aimed at curbing dangerous driving behavior.
Those efforts appear to be working. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced in May traffic deaths declined to 1,127 in 2024 — the second-lowest figure since the state began tracking the data in 1928.
Garrity said the departments’ work reflects a broader initiative that aligns with AAA’s mission of advocating for motorists across the country.
“A lot of what we do to help support them in their mission is we provide them resources, work alongside them at community events and educate the public, but police are out there doing the hands-on work,” he said. “They’re out there on the ground enforcing laws, looking at what’s happening — whether it’s locally or statewide — and actually addressing those dangerous trends.”
The job of making traffic safer and more efficient is always evolving, Ahlgren said.
“We’re always looking at new and innovative ways that we can help keep traffic flowing and also keep everybody safe when they’re out there utilizing our roadways,” he said.
