COLUMBIA — Four extra officers will be patrolling for intoxicated drivers from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. Friday through Sunday, according to a Columbia Police Department news release.
The added enforcement is the result of a $1,000 grant given to the police department by the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Highway Safety Division and the Missouri Safety Center.
“We requested the grant for this weekend because it’s St. Patrick’s Day weekend," Sgt. Shelley Jones said. "It's a big party weekend."
The overall goal of the grant is to respond to growing concerns within the community about issues with drunken driving, said Detective Jeff Westbrook.
“The community has spoken loudly. They want strong enforcement on drinking and driving so we are responding stringently to that,” he said.
The Police Department wants to remind citizens of the consequences that come with drinking and driving. The following is from the Columbia Police Department release:
The Boone County Sheriff’s Department also will have extra deputies patrolling as part of the “You Drink & Drive. You Lose.” campaign. Major Tom Reddin said the deputies would be looking for impaired drivers.
Reddin said there would not be a DWI checkpoint as part of the extra enforcement this weekend.
The Missouri Department of Transportation issued a grant to the Sheriff’s Department for deputies to work extra shifts as part of the campaign.