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ACPD holiday patrols
Published 12:08pm Monday, September 3, 2012Although Alexander City Police won’t be setting up safety checkpoints this weekend, officers will still be on the lookout for drivers breaking the law.
Lt. Greg Pike, commander of the ACPD traffic unit, said that funding for extra safety checkpoints, usually paid for with grants from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, was not available this Labor Day.
“We will be bringing in extra officers for patrols,” Pike said. “If people are going to drink, they need to have a designated driver. Also, they need leave with plenty of time to get to their destination.”
Pike said that officers won’t be focusing on any specific offense.
“We just want to make sure everyone has a safe holiday weekend by controlling the traffic the best we can,” Pike said.
Increased patrols will begin Friday and will continue through Monday, Pike said. Pike said that the department has seen a decrease in drunk driving around the holidays.
“They haven’t increased in the past (during holiday weekends) – that’s a good thing,” Pike said. “Hopefully we will continue to se a downward trend in DUIs over the holiday. The extra patrols help out a lot.”
Pike said that drivers can help keep roads safe by being on the lookout for problem drivers.
“If you see someone driving recklessly or that may be intoxicated, call 911 and they will find and officer in the area,” Pike said. “Don’t try to follow the driver – try to keep your distance, note the general area you saw them in and call us.”
