Patrols increase during holiday
Published 11:59 pm Friday, May 22, 2009
As usual, area law enforcement will be out in full force working as part of the statewide Click-It-Or-Ticket campaign this Memorial Day weekend.
Sheriff Dennis Meeks said deputies would be targeting areas along U.S. Hwy. 84 and 331, St. Hwy. 55 and many county roads.
“We will also be patrolling those roads connecting those major arteries throughout our county,” Meeks said. “We want motorists to arrive to their destination safely, so we will be looking especially hard for impaired drivers.”
Funds from an Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs grant will cover the overtime costs for each of the local departments participating. Officers from every municipal police department, as well as deputies from the Covington County Sheriff’s Office, will be watching for traffic infractions, seatbelt and child safety restraint usage, as well as impaired drivers.
Additionally, Opp Police Department’s assistant chief Mike McDonald said his officers will “be trolling major traffic routes that transect the City of Opp as well as city surface streets.”
McDonald said he wanted to remind citizens of the speed limit change on U.S. Hwy. 84.
“Motorists negotiating intersections that cross these highways should exercise caution and understand that traffic will be traveling at a more rapid pace,” Mc Donald said.