Local Law Enforcement Working To Keep Roads Safer During New Year Holiday

Local law enforcement agencies are teaming up in preparation for the New Year’s Holiday.
The Alexandria and Smithville Police Departments and the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department will be out in full force starting December 28th through January 1st for the safety of you and your family.
Sheriff Patrick Ray says “The Public’s safety is a top concern for me and my Department. We will be conducting saturated patrols and Sobriety Check Points for intoxicated people who choose to get behind the wheel of a vehicle and we will also team with the Alexandria and Smithville City Police Departments to better cover areas where drinking and driving are more prevalent.”
“Nearly 23,000 people are killed every year in alcohol-related traffic accidents. Statistics show one life is lost every 22 minutes in alcohol-related traffic collisions. Law Enforcement uses these checkpoints as a tool to reduce the number of intoxicated drivers on our highways and to diminish the amount of pain, suffering and death that results from intoxicated driving.”
Chief Richard Jennings of the Smithville Police Department say’s his department will be on the watch for impaired drivers on the streets of Smithville. “The Smithville Police Department will be out patrolling the streets of Smithville in full force this weekend with saturated patrols looking for impaired drivers. We are working in cooperation with the Sheriff’s Department on conducting Sobriety Check Points within the City of Smithville to keep everyone safe.”
Chief Mark Collins of the Alexandria Police Department say’s his department will also be out in full force. “The Alexandria Police Department will conduct saturated patrols within the city limits of Alexandria. We will be working in cooperation with the Sheriff’s Department conducting Sobriety Check Points within the city limits of Alexandria looking for impaired drivers. We want everyone who lives or travels through Alexandria to be safe and enjoy the upcoming New Year.”
The Sobriety Check Points will be conducted on the following Highways: Highway 56, Highway 70, Highway 53, and Highway 146.