DUI Enforcement and Education Equipment Usage

The Edward Byrne Memorial Discretionary Grants Program, administered by the Office of Justice Programs' (OJP's) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), furthers the Department's mission by assisting state and local jurisdictions in improving the criminal justice system and assisting communities in preventing drug abuse and crime. In fiscal year 2007, the Edward Byrne Memorial Discretionary Grants Program will focus on funding local, regional, and national efforts within six major categories: 1) targeting violent crime; 2) preventing crime and drug abuse; 3) enhancing local law enforcement; 4) enhancing local courts; 5) enhancing local corrections and offender reentry; and 6) facilitating justice information sharing. All categories combat, address, or otherwise respond to precipitous or extraordinary increases in crime, or in a type or types of crime.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office will use their award to purchase portable variable message boards, hand held laser mapping systems and portable high intensity light trailers for the 'DUI Enforcement and Education Usage' project. The project is designed to target and reduce accidents and fatalities caused by drug and/or alcohol impaired drivers. Portable variable message boards will be placed at strategically adopted locations to publicize upcoming DUI checkpoints and serve as educational tools at previous DUI fatality locations. The Sheriff's Office will use the hand held laser mapping systems and portable high intensity light trailers to assist traffic deputies at DUI checkpoints and crash investigations. These items will improve the quality of investigations and add an extra measure of safety to on-the-scene personnel.

CA/NCF