Project Checkpoint Strikeforce

The Edward Byrne Memorial Discretionary Grants Program (Byrne Discretionary Program) helps local communities improve the capacity of local justice systems and provides for national support efforts. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 08 Congressional Budget. Funds should be used for purposes recommended by Congress.

The Newport Police Department will support the New Castle County Checkpoint Strikeforce, a multi-agency task force dedicated to enforcing traffic safety laws to protect the citizens of Delaware from a growing number of erratic, aggressive, and drug and alcohol impaired motorists whose conduct puts other drivers and pedestrians in danger. They will enhance the training of the nearly three dozen law enforcement officers and deploy them to roadside checkpoints beyond their normal tour-of-duty hours. The task force will conduct a minimum of 32 alcohol checkpoints, as well as routine patrols to reduce aggressive and erratic driving. The Newport Police Department will reduce vehicle accidents and traffic fatalities, increase the practice of using "designated drivers", and make the roadways a generally safer place for both motorists and pedestrians.

NCA/NCF