There’s a perception that Sonoma County sheriff’s deputies aren’t as tough in enforcing traffic laws as city police or the CHP, and that appears to be somewhat true — to  a point.

Sheriff’s Capt. Matt McCaffrey said while traffic law enforcement is “not our primary responsibility,” deputies aren’t turning a blind eye either and will stop violators.

He noted the Sheriff’s Office and CHP have an agreement where in the county’s unincorporated areas, the SO primarily handles criminal cases, such as murders and burglaries, while the CHP mainly takes care of traffic/vehicle laws, such as accidents and stolen cars. So if you live in an unincorporated part of the county, call the CHP for traffic/vehicle issues and the SO for crimes.

McCaffrey acknowledged deputies are not as vigilant in enforcing traffic law as might be a Santa Rosa motorcycle officer, whose main job is looking for violators, but he emphasized “deputies do cite traffic violators.” And in Sonoma and Windsor, where the Sheriff’s Office provides law enforcement, deputies there enforce all laws, he said. In fact, McCaffrey said, a motorcycle officer is assigned to each city to target traffic violators.

At neighborhood watch meetings, he said, traffic violations typically is the No. 1 issue brought up by residents. As a result, he said, “if we can help out the CHP on these concerns, then we will take appropriate action.”

As for most deputies not writing as many tickets as other police agencies, he said “there is a little truth in that.” He said if a deputy believes he’s gotten the message across to a traffic violator, then, barring more serious offenses, he may let the driver go without a ticket. Or he may not.