Officer Felicia Pegues from the Garland Police Department elaborates on their involvement in the statewide “Drink. Drive. Go to jail.” campaign.
She records that the festive season, such as Christmas and the New Year, is commonly bustling with revelers, some of whom will likely drink alcohol. During such periods, the law enforcement closely monitors local roads to apprehend intoxicated drivers.
In December, for festive seasons like Christmas and New Year’s Eve, the Garland police managed to arrest 26 people for driving under the influence. Additionally, they issued 98 citations for speeding and warned other violators.
The official states that these major arrests were enabled by extra funds provided by TxDOT’s Impaired Driving Mobilization Grant. Such financial aids allow departments to deploy extra officers on the streets, Pegues clarifies. She emphasizes that such additional personnel are necessary as patrol officers can be overwhelmed, their sole task being to target drunk driving offenses.
The officer notes that this grant not only benefited their department, but was also taken up by various other police departments, including those in Dallas, Fort Worth, DeSoto, Lake Worth, Jacksboro, and Willow Park.
Regardless of the increased police presence, Pegues reiterated the need for citizens to act responsibly. She advises the public to use rideshares or ensure they have a sober designated driver if they plan on drinking.
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