Yuma police get state DUI grant

The Yuma Police Department has received a state grant to crack down on drunken drivers.

The $15,540 DUI Enforcement Grant from the Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety will put additional officers on the roadways to target impaired drivers in an effort to reduce injury and fatal accidents within the city limits, police said.

"We got one very similar to it last year," said Officer Clint Norred, the department's spokesman.

"We really want to get impaired drivers off the street."

Norred said police will conduct impaired driving enforcement mobilizations, in participation with the Arizona DUI Task Force, during holidays, special events and at other random times.

The department’s participation will consist of saturation patrols and public awareness activities, consistent with the national "Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest" and Arizona's "DUI? Expect the Max!" programs.

YPD has two full-time DUI enforcement officers, and the money will be used to pay for overtime to cover the cost of assigning additional officers to those details.

The department encourages everyone in our community to do their part by making safe transportation arrangements before consuming intoxicating beverages and promptly reporting suspected impaired drivers.

According to statistics provided by the police department, 392 DUI arrests were made in 2007 and 6,600 citations issued.

"Part of the money we got last year from the grant contributed to those numbers," Norred said. "It helps us put more officers on the street."

Last year police received $39,700 from a DUI enforcement grant from the Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety.

---

TIPS TO REPORT A SUSPECTED IMPAIRED DRIVER

Do not drive in an unsafe manner to obtain information, keep up with or catch up to an impaired driver, or make a telephone call while driving.

Obtain license plate number and state if possible.

Note the vehicle description, including color, make, model and general appearance of the vehicle. If possible, also include a description of the driver and their actions that led to the suspicion of impaired driving.

Call the Yuma Police Department at 783-4421, or if an accident appears imminent, call 911.

Although a report can be made anonymously, providing your name and contact information can be useful in the event further information is needed to locate, investigation or prosecute the suspected impaired driver.