The Central Oregon Multi Agency Traffic Team (MAT) will be out in force Wednesday patrolling school zones in the Bend area, police announced.

According to Bend Police Sgt. Kurt Koester, officers with Bend and Redmond Police, Deschutes County Sheriff’s deputies, and Oregon State Police troopers will be looking for various traffic violations including speeding, disobeying traffic control devices and other safety violations to encourage safe driving habits near schools.

The MAT team's high-visibility saturated enforcement will run roughly from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, January 16, Koester said. 

The MAT Team was created to increase public awareness of traffic safety, and the dangers associated with violations of traffic laws related to public safety. “Area law enforcement agencies are trying to increase safety and prevent motor vehicle crashes which far too often result in death, personal injury, and property damage,” said the sergeant.