Troopers to crack down during holidays

JOHN DAVIDSON/Frontiersman reporter

MAT-SU -- Alaska State Troopers and other law enforcement officers will be cracking down on drunken drivers this holiday season, beginning with the Thanksgiving weekend, troopers said in a press release last week.

"Troopers will be out in force over the weekend enforcing the speed, safety belt, child restraint and impeding laws while keeping an eye out for drunk drivers," said Col. Julia Grimes, director of the Alaska State Troopers. "The goal is a safer holiday for everyone."

In 2003, there were 59 highway collisions and one fatality over the holiday enforcement period, with troopers making 15 driving-under-the-influence arrests, issuing 92 speeding citations and 14 safety-belt and child-restraint citations and warnings.

Troopers will again participate in Operation CARE this year. Operation CARE -- the Combined Accident Reduction Effort -- is a traffic-safety public-awareness effort made up of law-enforcement agencies throughout the country.

The statewide DUI Team in Palmer, whose primary focus is taking impaired drivers off the highway, made 220 drunken-driving arrests during its first six months of patrol, said Capt. Dennis Casanovas, B Detachment commander.

The DUI team's distinctive black patrol cars will be out in force over the holidays, troopers said.Earlier this month, the troopers' efforts in highway safety were recognized by the International Association of Chiefs of Police Chief's Challenge Competition.

This contest challenges law enforcement agencies to present documentation of their efforts and accomplishments in highway safety -- including DUI, safety-belt and speed enforcement.

In 2003, Alaska State Troopers received a second-place award; in 2004, the troopers were awarded first place in their division. Trooper representatives attended the annual IACP Conference on Nov. 12-13 in Los Angeles to accept the award.

Contact John Davidson at john.davidson@frontiersman.com.