STPSO Awarded Funding to Deter Drinking & Driving

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office has been awarded a $194,230 grant by the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission as part of the statewide Fatal and Injury Crash Reduction Effort.

Funds will be used

• to supply additional manpower to conduct extra seat belt enforcement, DWI patrols and underage alcohol enforcement in St. Tammany Parish,
• to increase deputy patrols in neighborhoods and on our highways during weekends and holidays,
• to conduct sobriety checkpoints throughout the year, and 
• to participate in the state-wide Click It or Ticket, Buckle Up in Your Truck and Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaigns to educate residents on the importance of wearing seat belts and not drinking and driving.

“We want people to know that we are out there every day looking for drivers that are under the influence, and we hope the checkpoints this funding provides will serve as a deterrent,” Sheriff Smith said. “If you choose to consume alcohol, don’t drive. Have a designated driver or call a cab. If all options fail, call us and we will find you a safe ride.”