Avoid the 12 Stanislaus County DUI Taskforce PRESS RELEASE

Transcription

1 Avoid the 12 Stanislaus County DUI Taskforce PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Sgt. Chris Perry, (209) , CERES POLICE DEPARTMENT RECEIVES GRANT FOR COUNTY-WIDE DUI ENFORCEMENT CAMPAIGN Drunk and drugged driving remains the number one killer on our roadways, with 774 deaths and over 24,000 injuries. The Avoid the 12 DUI Task Force will be attacking this problem head on through DUI enforcement efforts in Stanislaus County as a result of a recent $160,000 grant awarded by the California Office of Traffic Safety to the Ceres Police Department. Ceres Police Department will administer the grant for the entire county. Ceres Police Chief Art de Werk asserts that "the Ceres Police Department has a longstanding policy of rigorously enforcing DUI laws because of the obvious threat that intoxicated drivers present to other motorists and themselves. DUI enforcement is one of the most important traffic safety duties of law enforcement officers, owing to the fact that intoxicated motorists kill and maim so many innocent people in California every year. Without these enforcement programs, our streets will most certainly become among the most deadly places that anyone can find themselves." The Avoid the 12 DUI Task Force is named to send the message that if you don t drink or use drugs and drive, you will avoid getting arrested by any of the 12 participating law enforcement agencies in the county. The grant activities will specifically target those who get behind the wheel after drinking too much or using drugs that impair driving. Officers will be staffing DUI/Driver License Checkpoints, multi-agency DUI Task Force deployments, and local DUI saturation patrols for each partnering. Additionally, funding will target the worst of the worst repeat DUI offenders with Warrant/Probation Sweeps and Court Sting Enforcement Operations focusing on DUI offenders who leave court hearings and drive away on suspended licenses after being ordered not to drive by a judge. A large part of grant funding will go to DUI/Drivers License Checkpoints highly visible, highly publicized events not only meant to make arrests, but to deter impaired driving in the first place. Crashes involving alcohol drop by an average of 20 percent when well-publicized checkpoints are conducted often enough. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), checkpoints have provided the most effective documented results of any of the DUI enforcement strategies, while yielding considerable cost savings of $6 for every $1 spent. Motorists can expect to see special DUI campaigns during the winter and summer holiday periods as well as on Halloween, Super Bowl Sunday, St. Patrick s Day, Cinco de Mayo and during local special events with identified DUI Problems. Funding for the grant comes from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1

2 This Grant is a part of the California Traffic Safety Program and was made possible through the support of the California Office of Traffic Safety, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The opinions, findings, and conclusions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the State of California or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. AGENCY NAME: Avoid DUI Program/ Ceres Police Department GRANT NUMBER: AL 1391 GRANT TITLE: Avoid DUI Program JURISDICTION TYPE AND SIZE: Stanislaus County 521,726 population TOTAL AMOUNT FUNDED: $160,000 GRANT PERIOD: 10/01/12 to 09/30/13 GRANT DESCRIPTION: To reduce alcohol-involved fatalities and injuries and raise general public awareness regarding the problems associated with drinking and driving increased DUI enforcement and intense media campaigns will be conducted on a county wide basis. Participating law enforcement agencies throughout the county, including the Alcohol Beverage Control and the California Highway Patrol will conduct DUI enforcement activities during the NHTSA summer and winter holiday mobilizations, Memorial Day, and July 4 th Weekends, as well as special events with identified DUI problems. Activities include DUI special events with identified DUI problems. Activities include DUI checkpoints, DUI saturation patrols, multi-agency DUI task force operations, warrant/probation sweeps, and court sting operations for repeat DUI offenders. I. PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION An annual review of fatal driving under the influence (DUI) collisions reveals that DUI incidents are typically at their highest during the winter holiday period (Christmas and New Years), the end of summer vacation/labor Day period, and also Memorial Day and Independence Day weekends. Other times with high incident of DUI crimes and collisions include Halloween, Super Bowl Sunday, Cinco de Mayo and local festivals/events with identified DUI problems. Significant progress has been made in reducing the frequency of fatal DUI collisions when law enforcement agencies coordinate awareness campaigns and enforcement efforts with local, regional and national efforts. Nationwide, traffic deaths have declined dramatically; however, DUI deaths have not dropped at the same rate which indicates the need to continue to coordinate efforts between law enforcement, community-based-organizations, and media outreach. II. GOAL 1. To reduce the number of persons killed in traffic collisions. 2. To reduce the number of persons injured in traffic collisions. -1-

3 3. To reduce the number of persons killed in alcohol-involved collisions during holiday enforcement periods. 4. To reduce the number of persons injured in alcohol-involved collisions during holiday enforcement periods. 5. To reduce the number of persons killed in drug-involved collisions during holiday enforcement periods. 6. To reduce the number of persons injured in drug-involved collisions during holiday enforcement periods 7. To reduce the number of persons killed countywide in alcohol-involved collisions. 8. To reduce the number of persons injured countywide in alcohol-involved collisions. III. OBJECTIVES 1. To issue a press release announcing the kick-off of the grant by November 15 of the first grant year. The press releases and media advisories, alerts, and materials should be ed to the OTS Public Information Officer at pio@ots.ca.gov, and copied to your OTS Coordinator, for approval 14 days prior to the issuance date of the release. 2. To include, when appropriate, that an at fault driver was suspected of or was in fact drug impaired (if possible not the drug involved, e.g., marijuana, prescription drugs, etc.) when reporting to the media the details from a crash or crash investigation. 3. To send all grant-related activity press releases, media advisories, alerts and general public materials to the OTS Public Information Officer (PIO) at pio@ots.ca.gov, with a copy to your OTS Coordinator. If an OTS template-based press release is used, the OTS PIO and Coordinator should be copied when the release is distributed to the press. If an OTS template is not used, or is substantially changed a draft press release should first be sent to the OTS PIO for approval. Drafts should be sent for approval as early as possible to ensure adequate turnaround time. Optimum lead time would be days prior to the operation. Media communications reporting the results of grant activities such as ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS are exempt from the recommended advance approval process, but still should be copied to the OTS PIO and Coordinator when the release is distributed to the press. Activities such as warrant or probation sweeps and court stings that could be compromised by advanced publicity are exempt from pre-publicity, but are encouraged to offer embargoed media coverage and to report the results. 4. To use the following standard language in all press, media, and printed materials: Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 5. To the OTS Public Information Officer at pio@ots.ca.gov, and copy your OTS Coordinator, at least 30 days in advance a short description of any significant grant related traffic safety event or program so that OTS has enough notice to arrange for attendance and/or participation in the event. -2-

4 6. To submit a draft or rough-cut of all printed or recorded material (brochures, posters, scripts, artwork, trailer graphics, etc.), which is meant for general public use, to the OTS Public Information Officer at pio@ots.ca.gov, and copied to your OTS Coordinator, for approval 14 days prior to the production or duplication. 7. To include the OTS logo, space permitting, on grant funded print materials; consult your OTS Coordinator for specifics relating to this grant. 8. To conduct the following enforcement operations during Halloween (October 27 through October 31, 2012). 9. To conduct the following enforcement operations and public awareness efforts during the NHTSA Winter Holiday Mobilization (December 14, 2012 through January 1, 2013). 1 DUI/Driver s License Checkpoints 1 Multi-Agency DUI Task Force Operations 1 Warrant Service Operations 1 Media Event 10. To conduct the following enforcement operations during Super Bowl Sunday (February 3, 2013). 11. To conduct the following enforcement operations during St. Patrick s Day (March 17, 2013). 12. To conduct the following enforcement operations during Cinco de Mayo (May 3 through May 5, 2013). 13. To conduct the following enforcement operations during the NHTSA Memorial Day Holiday (May 24 through May 27, 2013). 1 DUI/Driver s License Checkpoints 1 DUI Saturation Patrols 14. To conduct the following enforcement operations during the NHTSA Independence Day Holiday (July 4 through July 7, 2013). 1 DUI/Driver s License Checkpoints 1 DUI Saturation Patrols 15. To conduct the following enforcement operations and public awareness efforts during the NHTSA Summer Holiday Mobilization (August 16 through September 2, 2013). 4 DUI/Driver s License Checkpoints 5 DUI Saturation Patrols 1 Compliance Check 1 Multi-Agency DUI Task Force Operations -3-

5 1 Warrant Service Operations 1 Media Event 16. To conduct the following enforcement operations during county fairs, festivals, and other community events with identified DUI problems. 5 DUI Saturation Patrols 17. To increase DUI arrests during each NHTSA holiday/mobilization enforcement period: Winter Holiday Mobilization Memorial Day Weekend Independence Day Summer Holiday Mobilization 18. To conduct Avoid public information campaigns during each Winter Holiday Mobilization, Summer Holiday Mobilization, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Halloween, Super Bowl Sunday, St. Patrick s Day, Cinco de Mayo, county fairs, festivals and other community events with identified DUI problems. 19. To submit operational data for the following NHSTA Holiday Mobilization Campaigns to the OTS Avoid Coordinator within 45 days after each mobilization. Note: This data is important as it is forwarded to NHTSA for national campaign reporting. Winter Holiday Mobilization Memorial Day Weekend Independence Day Summer Holiday Mobilization 20. To conduct an annual MADD/Avoid DUI Recognition Seminar to disseminate DUI information and enforcement strategies to enforcement agencies along with MADD to recognize members efforts to lower deaths and injuries by September To host a 16-hour, POST-certified Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement training course. IV. STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES Phase 1 Program Preparation (1 st Quarter of the Grant Year) We developed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with each participating agency that details enforcement activities to be conducted and personnel, number of hours required, and rate of compensation for each position. This was reviewed and signed by the Chief s of each participating agency within the county along with the Sheriff and is on file at the Ceres Police Department. Ceres Police Sgt. Chris Perry (Avoid the 12 Coordinator) attended the OTS-sponsored DUI Checkpoints Planning and Management eight-hour, POST-certified training on January 25, Officer Kitcher of the Ceres Police Department attended the same training as well. Sgt. Perry formed an Avoid Committee comprised of traffic representatives of all agencies -4-

6 participating in the program to coordinate and develop DUI operational plans, schedules and media efforts. The committee met quarterly and discussed these topics. An Enforcement Operational Plan was developed for each phase of the campaign for the: Fall and Winter DUI Enforcement Schedules. Spring and July Enforcement Schedules. Summer Enforcement Schedules. Sgt. Perry was able to gain commitment from law enforcement executives in the county on the campaign and encourage them to emphasize DUI enforcement during all phases with officers on regular patrols and by allocating overtime hours to extra units, participating in forming special teams, conducting DUI checkpoints and contributing to all public information elements of the campaigns. We confirmed that at least 50% of sworn police department personnel conducting DUI enforcement with grant funding have received NHTSA-CERTIFIED Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) training. Sgt. Perry prepared complete press information for allied agencies and broadcast reporters during each campaign period including a main press release, campaign calendar, departmental plans and fact sheet. The material emphasized the campaign s serious, aggressive enforcement and the high cost of DUI in terms of money, criminal consequences and human misery. Phase 2 Program Operations (2 nd, 3 rd and 4 th Quarters of the Grant Year) Sgt. Perry scheduled and conducted several DUI enforcement operations and public information campaigns for each campaign period according to the grant objectives. Phase 3 Data Gathering & Reporting (Throughout Grant Period) All allied agencies were required to collect and report appropriate quarterly statistical data that supports the progress of goals and objectives outlined in the grant. Throughout the grant period statistical data relating to the grant goals and objectives were collected, analyzed, and incorporated in Quarterly Performance Reports (QPRs). QPRs for the quarter ending September 30 included year-to-date comparisons of goals and objectives. A separate quarterly data reporting form was completed each quarter and submitted as part of the QPR. Additional statistics were collected to measure the grant s impact on crime by tracking non-trafficrelated arrests that initiated from DUI checkpoints and/or other grant supported activities or operations. Some of the crime statistics collected include narcotic arrests, confiscated weapons, stolen/recovered vehicles, criminal misdemeanor arrests, criminal felony arrests, and felony warrant arrests. Following each of the Winter and Summer NHSTA Holiday Mobilization Campaigns, the collection of required data from all grant funded DUI activities were recorded and the NHTSA Mobilization Data Sheet was completed and forwarded via to the OTS Avoid Coordinator Mitch Zehnder (it will then be reported to NHTSA for inclusion in their National Mobilization campaign statistics). -5-

7 V. RESULTS Throughout this grant period the following are the results of the work conducted from Avoid the 12 Stanislaus County. (It should be noted that other departments within Stanislaus County also had extensive OTS Grants with their own respective grant objectives that had to be met. These statistics do not reflect those efforts or other patrol efforts during mobilization periods). 7 Officers Trained in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing 7 DUI Checkpoints Conducted 85 Roving DUI Saturation Patrols 2 Warrant Service Operations 100 DUI Arrest Made 7 Felony Drug Arrest Made 8 Felony Criminal Arrest Made 11 DUI Warrant Arrest 1 Recovered Stolen Vehicle 76 Suspended License Violations 1 Media Event 46 Press Releases 57 Printed Media Stories 2 Television Broadcast From October 1, 2012 to September 30, 2013 there were 45 people killed in traffic collisions in Stanislaus County compared to 67 during this same time period last year. This is a 32.8% Decrease. From October 1, 2012 to September 30, 2013 there were 2553 people injured in traffic collisions in Stanislaus County compared to 3125 during this same time period last year. This is a 18.3% Decrease. *ALL GRANT OBJECTIVES WERE SUCCEFULLY MET* -6-

8 Key Contact Name: Chris Perry Title: Sergeant Agency: Ceres Police Department Address: 2727 Third St. Ceres, CA Telephone: (209)

9 Agencies participating in the Avoid the 12 taskforce include: Ceres Police, Modesto Police, Turlock Police, Oakdale Police, Stanislaus State Police, Patterson Police Services, Riverbank Police Services, Hughson Police Services, Waterford Police Services, Stanislaus County Sheriff s Department, Stanislaus County Probation, and the California Highway Patrol. # # # 2