PCSD focuses on crash reduction in weekend saturation patrol

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Department conducted a DUI and crash reduction patrol on three recent evenings and nights.

From 8 p.m. through 4 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 22 through Saturday, Sept. 24, extra deputies were out with three focuses — apprehension of impaired drivers and suspended drivers and crash reduction through enforcement of crash-causing offenses.

On each night of the patrol, between nine and 11 deputies patrolled virtually every area of Putnam County with emphasis on crash causation factors.

“Traffic crashes remain a nationwide leading cause of death and injury,” Sheriff Scott Stockton said. “These patrols are designed to change the driving behavior that contributes to such crashes in Putnam County.”

As a result of the county-wide canvas, deputies netted one driving while intoxicated arrest, three driving while suspended arrests, 12 traffic citations and 158 traffic warnings.

In July, the Sheriff’s Department conducted a three-day DUI and criminal enforcement patrol.

Stockton said the sheriff’s department has plans to continue these types of focused patrols with varying emphasis on factors affecting public safety.