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Source: http://lsp.org/news_detail.html?id=6257

id cleanReleaseDate troopName title
6257 2009-01-06 Troop G Breaking the 1000 DWI Arrest Mark ... Again
LOUISIANA STATE POLICE
COURTESY LOYALTY SERVICE

Colonel Michael D. Edmonson, Superintendent

News Release

January 6, 2009

Breaking the 1000 DWI Arrest Mark… Again


For the second time in the history of Troop G’s operation, troopers have made over 1000 arrests of impaired drivers in one year. At midnight on December 31, 2008, Troop G completed the year with 1097 DWI arrests, just two arrests short of the record set in 2006.

Louisiana State Police Superintendant Colonel Mike Edmonson commented on Troop G’s enforcement success saying, “Drinking drivers continue to pose a serious traffic hazard in Louisiana, but Troop G has made significant strides in removing impaired drivers from the highways.”

A key strategy in Troop G’s enforcement mission has been its expanded partnerships with local agencies to co-host DWI checkpoints and to patrol in joint agency DWI enforcement details in 2008. Troop G Commander Captain Tom Madden explains, “Teaming with our sheriff’s offices and city police departments increases our efficiency and produces a greater enforcement impact. By routinely integrating with our local agencies we also streamline how we may provide support to them in future emergencies.”

Captain Madden also points out, “This enforcement accomplishment is remarkable given that our troopers have done this while continuing to increase their range of other services they provide to the community. In 2008 Troop G educated hundreds of parents and caregivers in the proper installation of child safety seats, provided hundreds of bike helmets to children in dozens of schools, and hosted three large-scale community fundraising events. Last year, Troop G also provided its troopers for a six week tour of duty in response to hurricanes Gustav and Ike. While all of these services increase Troop G’s overall usefulness to the community, they do not necessarily increase a trooper’s opportunity to make arrests of impaired drivers, but by truly investing themselves in their mission, our troopers have managed to excel in accomplishing both objectives. “

Vanessa Braggs, Community Action Site Leader for MADD, has thanked Troop G on behalf of the 29 parishes she represents saying, “Thank you men for taking your job seriously, you have to if you want to reach a goal like this. But this number means more than just arrests, for those of us who have lost our families to a drunk driver; it means 1097 families got a second chance and escaped the pain of having to continue life without someone they love.


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Note: In 2008 Troop G troopers investigated over 1200 crashes where 679 people were injured and 42 people were killed. Troop G also issued 12,300 speeding citations, made over 120 criminal traffic arrests, 154 narcotics arrests, and recovered over 80 criminal fugitives.


For More Information, Contact:

Trooper Doug Pierrelee
Louisiana State Police
Troop G Public Affairs
Office: (318) 617-0638
www.lsp.org
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