In an effort to curb the menace of impaired driving during the holiday season, Yavapai County Sheriff's Office (YCSO) spearheaded a Tri-City DUI Enforcement Unit with the backing of a $21,000 grant from the Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety (GOHS). The joint operation included participation from Prescott PD, Prescott Valley PD, Chino Valley PD, and AZ DPS, culminating in a weekend of increased vigilance on the roads just before Christmas, as reported by YCSO.
During this operation, 61 motorists were stopped, resulting in 14 traffic citations and four misdemeanor arrests, three involving drugs. Supported by GOHS, the initiative is part of a broader strategy, including over $20,000 for accident investigations and $15,000 for the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) to address unsafe driving in Yavapai County, as per the YCSO.
The sheriff of Yavapai county, David Rhodes, has been vocal in his appreciation for the GOHS funding, highlighting that such collaborations between multiple law enforcement agencies greatly enhance public safety efforts, making the county's streets and highways safer for residents and visitors alike, articulated in a statement on the official YCSO website.
In line with their commitment to deter and tackle the issue of drunk driving, YCSO participated in other holiday-specific enforcement activities, further underscoring the critical message to the public: driving under the influence is unacceptable, and there are viable alternatives that can be planned in advance, such as designating a sober driver or utilizing taxi services or ride-shares, ensuring one’s own safety and the well-being of other community members.
