Labor day weekend is fast approaching and as families get ready to take a vacation, the Selma Police Department is gearing up to make sure the city’s streets are safe.

This week the city police department will participate in a national program to reduce the number of people who ignore the city’s traffic lights.

The Red Light Running campaign will take place from Aug. 29 until Sept. 5.

Selma Police Lt. David Evans said the department has received a federal grant through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs to have at least three extra officers on patrol every day of the campaign.

Evans said the number of people who ignore traffic light signals has become a problem in the community.

The Central Alabama Highway Safety Office released a statement recently claiming the best protection against being injured or killed by a red-light runner is to buckle up.

The Red Light Running campaign is also coinciding with the &uot;Click it or Ticket&uot; campaign in which officers will be handing out tickets for those not wearing their seat belts.

Evans said that with the expected rise in holiday travel as the Labor Day weekend approaches, officers will also be on the lookout for those who might be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.