2008 Woodie Awards
Edwardsville PD to patrol safety checkpoints
Holly Meyer
Issue date: 10/18/07 Section: News
From Sunday through Friday, Nov. 30, one to four additional Edwardsville Police officers will patrol specifically for intoxicated drivers, speeders and seatbelt violators.
"That is when we have some of our most severe crashes," Edwardsville Police Lt. Scott Evers said. "That is what we are trying to reduce. We have a very good track record."
In fact, there was only one fatal car accident in the Edwardsville area last year. The accident happened in the daytime and was due to a power outage, according to Edwardsville Police.
The additional officers will bring the total number of officers patrolling at night between six and nine. Evers said the police normally have five officers on duty at that time.
The officers being called in for overtime will be looking specifically for alcohol, speeding and seatbelt violations.
The overtime pay will be reimbursed to the department through a grant they received from the Illinois Department of Transportation.
IDOT was not available for comment.
The grant is to be used toward a series of special traffic enforcement periods, mainly focusing on alcohol violations by motorists. This is the department's first enforcement period on this grant.
Evers said this is the department's fourth year of receiving this particular grant from IDOT.
"It's a great benefit to us with Edwardsville growing as fast as we are sometimes we are too busy and don't have the time to devote to traffic safety," Evers said.
Roadblocks are not likely under this grant; however, Evers said the police might set up a seatbelt checkpoint.
Evers said Edwardsville does not have any more alcohol violators than any other area even though it is a college town. However, Evers said the Edwardsville Police Department just enforces the policies more strictly.
"We write probably more DUI tickets than any other enforcement down here except the state police," Evers said. "We pride ourselves on taking these guys off the street."
SIUE Police Lt. Kevin Schmoll said the SIUE Police will not participate in the special traffic enforcement period. However, Schmoll said the SIUE Police would assist the Edwardsville police only in an emergency situation.
A zero tolerance policy will in effect for all caught breaking the specified violations during the enforcement period.
"That is when we have some of our most severe crashes," Edwardsville Police Lt. Scott Evers said. "That is what we are trying to reduce. We have a very good track record."
In fact, there was only one fatal car accident in the Edwardsville area last year. The accident happened in the daytime and was due to a power outage, according to Edwardsville Police.
The additional officers will bring the total number of officers patrolling at night between six and nine. Evers said the police normally have five officers on duty at that time.
The officers being called in for overtime will be looking specifically for alcohol, speeding and seatbelt violations.
The overtime pay will be reimbursed to the department through a grant they received from the Illinois Department of Transportation.
IDOT was not available for comment.
The grant is to be used toward a series of special traffic enforcement periods, mainly focusing on alcohol violations by motorists. This is the department's first enforcement period on this grant.
Evers said this is the department's fourth year of receiving this particular grant from IDOT.
"It's a great benefit to us with Edwardsville growing as fast as we are sometimes we are too busy and don't have the time to devote to traffic safety," Evers said.
Roadblocks are not likely under this grant; however, Evers said the police might set up a seatbelt checkpoint.
Evers said Edwardsville does not have any more alcohol violators than any other area even though it is a college town. However, Evers said the Edwardsville Police Department just enforces the policies more strictly.
"We write probably more DUI tickets than any other enforcement down here except the state police," Evers said. "We pride ourselves on taking these guys off the street."
SIUE Police Lt. Kevin Schmoll said the SIUE Police will not participate in the special traffic enforcement period. However, Schmoll said the SIUE Police would assist the Edwardsville police only in an emergency situation.
A zero tolerance policy will in effect for all caught breaking the specified violations during the enforcement period.
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