Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Hundreds of drivers arrested in Colorado during December DUI crackdown

From: Boulder Camera

Having arrested 596 drivers during the recent pre-Christmas holiday party season, state and local law enforcement agencies are preparing now to crack down on drug- and alcohol-impaired driving during the days before and after New Year's Eve.

"There is no excuse to drive while impaired with so many safe alternatives available," Col. Scott Hernandez, chief of the Colorado State Patrol, said in a news release.

Among DUI arrest numbers reported by participating agencies from this area during the Dec. 4 through Dec. 14 special enforcement period: Boulder County Sheriff's Office, one; Broomfield Police Department, 11; University of Colorado-Boulder Police Department, two; Dacono Police Department, two; Erie Police Department, two; Firestone Police Department, two; Frederick Police Department, three; Longmont Police Department, 11; Loveland Police Department, eight; Weld County Sheriff's Office, one, and Larimer County Sheriff's Office, 24.

Among the 65 local agencies participating in the heightened anti-DUI enforcement between Wednesday and next Monday: the CU-Boulder, Dacono, Erie, Firestone, Frederick and Loveland police departments and the Weld County Sheriff's Office.

The CSP and the Colorado Department of Transportation have reported that last season's action resulted in 329 arrests across the state between Dec. 30, 2014, and Jan. 5, 2015.

Both the holiday-party enforcement period and the New Year's Eve period are part of the state's annual "The Heat Is On" campaign of enforcement, education and awareness efforts.

Enforcement periods then and at other points during the year can include sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols and adding on-duty officers to the effort. Details about The Heat Is On, including enforcement plans, past arrest totals and safety tips, can be found at HeatIsOnColorado.com.

Details about The Heat Is On, including enforcement plans, past arrest totals and safety tips, can be found at HeatIsOnColorado.com.