Extra patrols, sobriety checkpoint plans in the works
April Reynolds, Reporter
12-19-2007
With Christmas and New Year’s right around the corner and holiday
celebrations soon to be under way, local law enforcement agencies are planning
increased visibility to combat drunken driving this holiday
season.Drunken driving, a year-round problem, becomes even more dangerous during holidays, according to police. In an effort to reduce the number of fatalities during this time of year, the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is providing overtime grants to more than 40 law enforcement agencies statewide as a part of the state’s “Drunk Driving: Over the Limit. Under Arrest” campaign.
Ruston Police Department, Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office and Grambling State University Police Department are all participating in the contracted overtime grant. Jamie Ainsworth, a program coordinator for LHSC, said as a part of the effort, law enforcement agencies will enhance holiday patrols and coordinate sobriety checkpoints and public outreach.
In Ruston, RPD Public Information Officer Lt. Curtis Hawkins said extra patrols will be planned, along with the possibility of DWI sobriety checkpoints. No specific date was given for heightened rounds, as measures are being arranged daily to ensure safety for the upcoming weeks.
“During the holiday season, we will be assigning extra patrol units looking for drunk drivers,” Hawkins said. “We’re making the schedules, and now through after New Year’s, we’ll be increasing patrols.”
Every holiday season throughout New Year’s is prime time for people to party and celebrate.
“This time of year, we know that people are celebrating, going out to party and drinking alcohol,” he said. “We are aware of that here at the Ruston Police Department, and we are taking steps to have additional officers on patrol.”
According to LHSC, 455 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes in 2006 in Louisiana, and alcohol was a factor in 46 percent of those crash fatalities. In Lincoln Parish in 2006, law enforcement officials arrested 312 drivers on DWI charges.
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