Statewide enhanced enforcement program focuses on drunk driving

WORLAND - Members of the Big Horn County Sheriff's Office, Basin Police Department, Cowley Police Department, Greybull Police Department, Lovell Police Department and Wyoming Highway Patrol are participating in enhanced August Crackdown "Drunk Driving Ends Here" enforcement efforts aimed at discouraging drunk driving in Big Horn County and across the state, the Wyoming Department of Transportation announced in a press release this week.

Included in the release is a photo (see above) of representatives from four of the agencies.

WYDOT Public Affairs spokesperson Cody Beers said, "We're trying to show a unified effort in locating drunk drivers. We want to be proactive in showing that the law enforcement will be out there.

"We're trying to get people to realize there are ramifications for their behavior. If we can put out a message that our guys are out there – maybe it will make someone think twice before they get in their vehicle. We'd rather catch no drunk drivers because that will show people are making good decisions."

The "Drunk Driving Ends Here" effort is sponsored by the Governor's Council on Impaired Driving, Injury Prevention Resources and Wyoming Department of Transportation.

Beers said with additional support from Injury Prevention Resources this year, they have focused on getting the word out in the Big Horn Basin, specifically focusing on Fremont, Park and Big Horn counties. Beers said according to the Wyoming Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police those three counties have a higher rate of drunk driving issues than the state average.

Beers added, "The whole idea behind this effort – putting it out there (press releases) – people see the agencies are united, which they are, but it reinforces that idea with the public. Maybe someone will make a good choice before they get behind the wheel, select a designated driver, call a cab or call a friend. We're trying to eliminate drunk driving period and in the process we'll save a lot of lives."

Basin participation

Basin Police Chief Chris Kampbell said the August Crackdown program is one of 12 enhanced enforcement programs throughout the state that are conducted annually. He said there are usually six that focus on driving under the influence and six that are considered "high visibility" for "any and all traffic violations, in particular seat belt violations."

Kampbell said, "It's overtime for the officers; it's above and beyond their regular shift. When they are out there, their focus is to be stopping drunk drivers."

He said the Big Horn County agencies have always participated in enhanced enforcement programs. "They're just now getting it out more in the public. I see the purpose of letting the public know, is that during that (time), there will be a larger presence of law enforcement."

Kampbell said the agencies combined for a photo but noted, "Every agency manages their own portion of the program."

Kampbell said he allows his officers to volunteer for the program and for this one all four in his department, including himself, have signed up to provide the enhanced enforcement.

Washakie County law enforcement

Washakie County law enforcement - the sheriff's office and Worland police - have participated in the enhanced enforcement programs for years, Sheriff Steve Rakness said.

"We just completed the Fourth of July drunk driving initiative and the Sturgis initiative.

Fourth of July initiative, Sturgis initiative, done them for many years

"We have people signed up for it. They can work extra hours and they go out and work this initiative for drunk drivers," Rakness said.

He added that it's important to participate in the initiatives because it keeps drunk drivers off the highways. "We don't want any accidents. We don't want any fatalities. That's why it's important to do this all the time. Believe it or not there are people still around that believe they can drive while their drunk and endanger other people's safety."

Rakness said he has found that people are a bit more behaved when they have done these enforcement initiatives because there are more police officers and sheriff's deputies on the road. "They know we're out there," he said.