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STEPPED-UP LAW ENFORCEMENT PLANNED FOR NEW YEAR’S HOLIDAY

By Ray King/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Saturday, December 29, 2007 10:43 PM CST

Law enforcement agencies in Pine Bluff and Jefferson County will be out in force over the New Year’s holiday weekend in an effort to reduce the number of drunk and impaired drivers on the highway.

Called “Over the Limit, Under Arrest,” the campaign will involve extra patrols by Arkansas State Police troopers, as well as personnel of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, Pine Bluff police, and other agencies.

“If we catch you driving over the legal blood alcohol limit, you will be arrested,” said state police Director Col. Winford Phillips at a news conference earlier this month to announce the campaign.

Last year, 34 percent of all the traffic fatalities in the state were alcohol related, Phillips said, or a total of 226 deaths.

So far this year, there have been eight deaths in Jefferson County directly related to impaired or drunk driving, with five of those in one accident on U.S. 425 on July 14.

Roy Lee Jordan, 57, a Mississippi truck driver, was charged with five counts of negligent homicide, and reportedly admitted to a state police investigator that he had used crack cocaine within six hours of the accident that killed LaKetria Wells, 27, of Monticello, and her four children.

“We’re going to be conducting saturation patrols and sobriety check points throughout the area,” said Capt. Lloyd Franklin, commander of State Police Troop E, which includes Jefferson, Lincoln, Arkansas and Desha Counties. “We’re also going to be paying special attention to seat belt usage and we’re asking the public to assist us and report suspected impaired or drunk drivers, as well as other hazardous violations.”

Franklin said troopers will also be looking for indications of other criminal activity while checking vehicles, including the presence of burglar tools or illicit drugs.

“We work closely with other law enforcement agencies and any information our troopers collect along those lines will be forwarded to those agencies, including the Tri-County Drug Task Force,” Franklin said.

“Drunk driving crashes are not accidents,” said Teresa Belew, Arkansas director of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. “These crashes are entirely preventable if motorists would forego a holiday activity that can often lead to tragedy, getting behind the wheel of a motor vehicle after drinking or using other drugs.”

She suggested that people planning parties to celebrate the new year include alcohol free beverages, protein-rich foods, and reminders to guests to plan ahead, including choosing a sober designated driver, or if they plan to drive, don’t drink.

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