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By James Phillips

The Demopolis City Council is hoping to combat traffic issues on U.S. 80 with an increased police presence.

Mayor Woody Collins said citizens as well as council members have brought up those traffic problems, which include everything from speeding to not properly using medians.

Council members voted during its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday to give the Demopolis Police Department $10,000 to put a couple of patrol cars exclusively in that area to focus on the problems.

After 30 days, Police Chief Rex Flowers will report back to the mayor and council on the number tickets written and his thoughts on if the additional police presence has made a positive effect on the problem. City officials could then decide if it would continue to appropriate the additional funds.

Collins said the city is also looking into some grant funding to address traffic issues on U.S. 80.

In other action at the meeting, the council also approved the transfer of an alcohol license for Booze Bros. (Uniontown Chevron Inc.), which is located at 1603 Highway 80 West.