Meet Commissioner James Vafeades of Rockville Centre: A Leader in Traffic Safety
Commissioner James Vafeades is the head of the Rockville Centre Police Department, a position he has held since 2018. He is responsible for leading a team of 58 officers who serve and protect the residents and visitors of the village. Commissioner Vafeades has a long and distinguished career in law enforcement, spanning over 30 years. He joined the Rockville Centre Police Department in 1990, where he rose through the ranks to become the commissioner.
Commissioner Vafeades is not only a seasoned police officer, but also a well-educated professional. He holds a master’s degree in criminal justice/law enforcement administration from Molloy College, and he is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, a prestigious program for law enforcement leaders. He is also a member of various professional associations, such as the Nassau County Police Chiefs Association, the New York State Association of Chiefs of Police, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
One of Commissioner Vafeades’ main goals is to improve traffic safety in the village. He oversees various initiatives and programs that aim to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. He also works closely with other agencies and organizations, such as AAA Northeast, to promote traffic safety awareness and education in the community.
Commissioner Vafeades’ efforts have not gone unnoticed. In 2021, he received a Gold Award for Outstanding Achievements in Traffic Safety from AAA Northeast. The award recognizes the exemplary work of the village in making the region’s roads safer for all users. Commissioner Vafeades expressed his gratitude for the recognition and thanked his staff and the community for their support.
In this article, we will honor Commissioner James Vafeades and his achievements in traffic safety. We will also learn more about the Gold Award and what it means for the village. Read on to find out more.
Honoring Commissioner James Vafeades of Rockville Centre: Gold Award for Outstanding Achievements in 2021
Rockville Centre Wins Gold Award in AAA’s Annual Traffic Safety Program
The Village of Rockville Centre has won a Gold Award for its efforts during 2021 in AAA Northeast’s Community Traffic Safety Awards Program, John Corlett, Vice President of Public and Government Affairs, announced today. The award recognizes the outstanding work of the village in making the region’s roads safer for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
AAA Northeast is a not-for-profit auto club with 70 offices in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, New Hampshire, and New York, providing more than 6 million local AAA members with travel, insurance, finance, and auto-related services.
The Community Traffic Safety Awards Program is an annual initiative that evaluates the traffic safety activities of cities, counties, towns, and villages in the AAA Northeast region. The program is not a competition, but rather a way to acknowledge the communities that demonstrate a strong commitment to improving road safety for all users.
The Village of Rockville Centre was among the 60 communities that participated in the program and received an award for 2021. The village earned the Gold Award, which is the second-highest level of recognition after the Platinum Award.
The village was praised for stepping up and adjusting its many traffic safety efforts for 2021, as COVID restrictions lifted and many communities saw an increase in traffic incidents. Some of the initiatives that contributed to the village’s success included:
• Targeting aggressive driving. Marked and unmarked police vehicles saturated roadways to vigilantly enforce cell phone violations, speeding, and aggressive driving.
• Conducting child car seat inspections and installations. The village offered free car seat checks and installations by certified technicians to ensure the safety of young passengers.
• Participating in various enforcement programs. The village joined state and national campaigns such as No Empty Chair, Buckle Up New York, and Operation Safety Stop, which aims to reduce crashes and injuries involving teen drivers, seat belt use, and school bus safety.
• Educating the public on traffic safety issues. The village distributed brochures, flyers, and posters on topics such as pedestrian safety, bicycle safety, school bus safety, impaired driving, and distracted driving. The village also used social media platforms to share traffic safety tips and reminders.
The Gold Award was presented to Commissioner James Vafeades of Rockville Centre Police Department, who leads the village’s police force since 2018. Commissioner Vafeades has over 30 years of experience in law enforcement and has a master’s degree in criminal justice/law enforcement administration from Molloy College. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy.
