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Highlands Today

Police step up holiday enforcement

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By JOE SEELIG

Highlands Today

Published: July 3, 2009

SEBRING - Law enforcement in Highlands County will be stepped up this Fourth of July weekend - especially for the holiday activities, police sources indicated.

The Florida Highway Patrol will do its part with the introduction of Operation C.A.R.E., which stands for Combined Accident Reduction Effort, aimed at saving lives.

The FHP maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward drivers who are not buckled up, said Lt. Chris Miller, information officer for Troop F, which covers Highlands County.

"We don't give warnings for seat belt violations," he said.

The seat belt law has been around in Florida since 1986, so drivers should be aware of it, he said.

"The only thing that's changed about the law is it's become a primary offense instead of a secondary offense," Miller said. "In the past we could only issue a citation if we observed another offense."

Now they can pull drivers over for the unfastened seat belt.

"We want everyone to have a safe Fourth of July weekend and that they come back home at the end of the day," he said.

Since the seat belt law went into effect as a primary violation on June 30, the Florida Highway Patrol had issued two citations in Highlands County and 683 citations statewide, Miller said Thursday morning.

Col. John Czernis, director of the Florida Highway Patrol, announced Thursday the commencement of the statewide traffic enforcement initiative, which focuses on violations for speed, lack of safety belt use, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI).

The 72-hour campaign began today, July 3, and runs through Sunday, July 5.

The operation is part of a national program aimed at reducing the number of traffic crashes on interstate highways during holiday weekends, a news release stated.

The FHP will conduct DUI checkpoints, and deploy DUI roving teams during the holiday period, the news release stated.

All available FHP personnel will work Operation C.A.R.E., including auxiliary and reserve troopers who volunteer their time to assist regular troopers during the heightened holiday enforcement weekend.

Troopers use radar, laser, motorcycles and marked and unmarked patrol vehicles to track speed violators.

FHP will also use its aircraft to spot violators from the air and then direct troopers on the ground to pull them over to take appropriate action.

The patrol focuses enforcement efforts on every interstate, Florida's turnpike and other major state roads in Florida in order to reduce the number of crashes that may occur.

Sebring Police Cmdr. Steve Carr said his officers, too, will be looking for seat belt and moving violations as well as DUI.

"We've got extra officers at City Pier Beach for crowd control and parking in the surrounding area (on July 4)," he said. "We'll have an officer out in the boat with two firefighters."

In Lake Placid, Police Chief Phil Williams said they will have stepped up enforcement for the special event (fireworks).

"We will have extra guys out and will be bringing in our reserve unit," Williams said.

His officers have issued six seat belt citations since June 30, he said.

"It's like shooting fish in a barrel," he said. "You'll be writing one and watch four go by."

The law's been in effect for years, he said.

"That should be a sufficient warning period," he said.

The Highlands County Sheriff's Office's Lt. Jess Purvis said they have some boating details planned in conjunction with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers.

Lt. Keith Starling is heading up the detail. He said road patrol will also be stepping it up.

"Lake June, Jackson, none of the lakes are exempt," said Starling. "We're going to be all around the county, maybe even Lake Olivia."

They will have their big boat out, personal water crafts, an airboat and FWC officers will also have boats out as well, he said.

They will be checking registrations, safety equipment, boating under the influence, whether underage kids are operating water craft. Kids 15 or younger cannot operate personal water craft.

"It's a criminal infraction, not to the kid, but to the person responsible for the personal water craft.

People from ages 16 to 21 must have completed a boater safety course.

Avon Park Police Chief Matthew Doughney said he just wants people to stay safe and have a good time.

There will be extra patrols in place for July Fourth, speed trailers, lasers checking speed, and seat belt enforcement, but with a bit of officer discretion.

"The upcoming weekend is to be a celebration," said Doughney. "I don't want it to be a sad event. Officers will use their discretion writing tickets as they do every day."

The chief will be out on his bicycle on July Fourth. He urges those drinking to drink responsibly.

Our ultimate goal is for everybody to have a happy weekend," he said. 'Have a good time and treat everyone with respect. Alcohol and fireworks and alcohol and driving, the end result isn't very good."

Highlands Today reporter Joe Seelig can be reached at 863-386-5834 or jseelig@highlandstoday.com.

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