SKPD: Additional Officers Will Be On Streets, In Bars Beginning Tonight

The day before Thanksgiving is most often a time of great celebration and reunion - and unfortunately, also one of the worst nights for DUI-related injuries, deaths, and arrests according to local police officials.

To combat this problem, the South Kingstown Police Department will have additional officers on duty for the purpose of addressing underage Drinking, DUI, speed and seatbelt violations beginning Wednesday night, according to a news release issued by SKPD Lieutenant Paul Horoho.

"Using Blue Riptide grant funds from RIDOT Office on Highway Safety, SKPD will have dedicated DUI patrols on duty starting at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday night and continuing throughout the holiday weekend," Horoho stated. Additionally, SKPD and the Rhode Island State police will be teaming up Officers and Troopers to address speeding and seatbelt violations within South Kingstown.

The additional patrols will not be confined to the roads, according to Horoho. "The night before Thanksgiving is traditionally one of the worse nights for underage drinking violations. With that in mind SKPD will have uniformed and plain clothes officers assigned to party patrol and bar and liquor store checks."

Horoho said the officers will also be enforcing the state's social host laws. Plain clothes officers will be checking local bars and restaurants to make sure that patrons are not being over served. Over - service of alcoholic beverages to an intoxicated person can have serious civil liabilities for the server and the owner of the bar or restaurant.