Alpharetta Gets Grant To Upgrade DUI Testing Equipment

Staff Report

The city of Alpharetta is upgrading its breath alcohol testing equipment thanks in part to an $8,000 federally funded grant awarded by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS). The goal of the grant program is to promote the development and implementation of innovative programs to address highway safety issues.

Alpharetta’s Department of Public Safety appreciates the funding, as it allows for the agency to replace its current breath alcohol testing equipment with the Intoxilyzer 9000. The Intoxilyzer 9000 was selected last year by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to replace the 5000 model that is currently in use statewide. All law enforcement agencies in Georgia are required to transition to the new model by 2015.

“The city of Alpharetta’s Department of Public Safety coordinates efforts with the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety and our neighboring jurisdictions to participate in many highway safety campaigns, including Zero Tolerance,” said Alpharetta Councilman D.C. Aiken. “We appreciate the funding provided by GOHS, which will enable our agency to not only continue its efforts at combating driving under the influence, but build stronger cases while doing so.”

The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety and Alpharetta participate in Operation Zero Tolerance, and the Intoxilyzer 9000 is a necessary resource in the campaign. Operation Zero Tolerance is Georgia’s high visibility enforcement program that targets impaired drivers through concentrated patrols and sobriety check points.