BLAND — The Bland Police Department reported 61 calls for service, 162 traffic stops and six arrests during August as the city’s municipal court prepares for an increased caseload and an additional November court date.

During the Sept. 14 Bland Board of Aldermen meeting, police reported participating in an Aug. 29 countywide traffic-enforcement operation.

The operation resulted in 137 traffic stops and eight arrests countywide, including three arrests for driving while intoxicated. Bland officers reportedly accounted for 25 stops and two arrests, including one DWI arrest.

The city’s August court report states that 79 cases were disposed of during the month, while 114 new cases were scheduled for the October court docket.

Another 27 show-cause matters were issued following failures to appear, with 12 cases scheduled for trial in October.

Officials indicated traffic enforcement was intended in part to address motorists traveling at high speeds through the city.

“We’re trying to slow people down when they go through town because some of them do 70, 80,” Mayor Merrilee Spurgeon said.

The city added a Nov. 23 court date because of the volume of tickets being issued. At the time the report was prepared, 22 new tickets had already been assigned to that date.

Remaining municipal court dates were listed as Oct. 26, Nov. 23 and Dec. 28 for the rest of the year.

The court report lists $8,076 collected in fines and court costs during August.

Police Chief Charles (Chuck) Holtz also updated aldermen on a Blue Shield grant application during the meeting.

Holtz described the application as essentially approved but said additional administrative steps remained before the process was complete. Approximately $25,000 was discussed for equipment including body-worn cameras, portable radios and an upgrade to an in-car radio.

Because final grant processing remained underway, the funding had not yet been received by the city at the time of the meeting.