FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: Lieutenant Michael Gilbert, OIC Traffic Services, 401-468-4344
The Warwick Police has successful DUI Task Force event
As a part of the Rhode Island “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign
Warwick, RI- The Warwick Police Department continues to take part in the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign which runs from August 15th to September 1st. On August 22nd, Warwick Police combined efforts and worked jointly with a special DUI Task Force concentrating on Southern RI as well as Kent County. There were 22 local law enforcement departments and the RI State Police participating to deter, detect and arrest impaired drivers. More than 90 additional police officers and troopers supported the more than 125 officers/troopers assigned to patrol shifts in these communities.
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation’s Office of Highway Safety (RIDOT OHS) provided funding for this important highway safety effort.
In May 2014, the RI DUI Task Force was deployed for the first time in ten Southern RI communities. During that campaign, eleven motorists suspected of driving while impaired by drugs and/or alcohol were arrested. This second deployment of the RI DUI Task Force deployed more than twice as many officers/troopers and will cover twice as many communities. On August 22, the Warwick Police made 82 motor vehicle stops, 6 DWI arrests, issued 31 speeding violations, arrested 3 motorists for operating with suspended licenses, arrested 2 motorists on warrants, and issued 12 other motor vehicle violations for various offenses.
During the DUI Task force event on August 22, 2014, twenty-three law enforcement agencies (Warwick, West Warwick, Coventry, East Providence, Barrington, Warren, Bristol, Portsmouth, Middletown, Newport, Tiverton, Little Compton, South Kingstown, North Kingstown, Richmond, Charlestown, Narragansett, Hopkinton, West Greenwich, East Greenwich, Jamestown, Westerly and the RI State Police) teamed up to form the Rhode Island DUI Task Force.
During this mobilization, officers were out in force to deter, detect and arrest impaired drivers. The goal was to keep everyone safe on our roadways and to prevent the senseless injuries and deaths because someone made the wrong choice.
