Gresham Police Safety Focus Has Increased DUII Patrols and More

With Labor Day just around the corner, the Gresham Police Department is reminding people that safety is the number one concern - and that means increased DUII patrols and safety enforcement actions.

The department says that they will have extra patrols on the streets to stop and arrest alcohol and drug impaired drivers.

Gresham Police want people to remember that they can help prevent impaired driving by taking several steps, including:

* Stopping alcohol service before the event is over;

* Serving plenty of good to lessen the effects of alcohol;

* Report drunk drivers by calling 911; and

* Choosing a responsible designated driver.

Officers will also emphasis appropriate safety belt usage.

Children who are riding unrestrained or in the wrong type of safety restraint are often injured or killed in traffic accidents.

The department says that safety belts save lives and data shows that as children get older they are less likely to buckle up. Over the past five years, more than 1,500 kids between the ages of eight and 14 died in vehicle crashes across the nation. Of those who died, almost half were unbelted.

During the past seven months, Gresham officers issued 230 citations for safety belt and child restraint offenses.

Both programs - the enhanced DUII patrols and the safety belt enforcement are paid for by grants from the Oregon Department of Transportation, Oregon Impact, and the US Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Meanwhile, the department announced the results of two pedestrian safety operations - just one month apart: on July 1st and August 1st.

The first one took place at the intersection of Northwest Division Street and Northwest Overlook Avenue. The second happened at the intersection of West Powell Boulevard and Southwest Duniway Avenue.

The four-hour missions, meant to raise awareness of pedestrian right-of-way laws, resulted in 85 citations: 46 for crosswalk infractions, 39 for driving offenses and three warnings.

Citations were also issued for illegal cell phone usage, failure to use a seatbelt, and driving with a suspended license.