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Grant Helps Put More Police Patrols on Streets for Holidays

Posted on: Saturday, 17 December 2005, 12:00 CST

By Sergio Chapa, The Brownsville Herald, Texas, The Brownsville Herald, Texas

Dec. 17--Brownsville police say they will increase street patrols during the holidays and through September 2006 thanks to a state grant to enforce drinking while driving, seat belt and child safety laws.

The Texas Department of Transportation awarded the $60,000 Selective Traffic Enforcement Program grant early this month.

Brownsville Police Cmdr. Roberto Avitia said the funds will primarily be used to pay officers overtime for additional night and early morning patrols.

Avitia said the grant is timely because the holidays are known for an increase in DWIs and other alcohol-related crimes such as public intoxication.

"We're just trying to keep the community safe," Avitia said of the additional patrols.

According to Brownsville police figures, the month of December had the highest number of DWI arrest in 2004 with a total of 20 arrests.

In 2003, there were 10 DWI arrests in December, but August had the highest number with 23 arrested attributed to the Labor Day holiday.

Avitia said police recommend that area residents appoint a designated driver if they decide to drink.

"The best way to avoid the problem is not to drink at all," Avitia said.

In addition to the extra Brownsville police patrols, state troopers are also comign out in force.

The Texas Highway Patrol will be out in force this weekend looking for speeders, drinkers and drivers and people not wearing seatbelts as part of a statewide initiative called Operation Lifesaver.

Operation Lifesaver began Friday and runs through Sunday. Extra troopers will be patrolling the major highways such as U.S. Highway 281 and Expressway 83 and the not so major but perhaps more deadly and dark farm-to-market roads.

Last year's Operation Lifesaver netted 71 DWI arrests, 529 speeding tickets and 162 seatbelt citations in just a three-day period for the region from Brownsville to Laredo.

The Monitor contributed to this report

schapa@brownsvilleherald.com

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Copyright (c) 2005, The Brownsville Herald, Texas

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

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Source: The Brownsville Herald

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