Matt Blunt, Governor
Mark James, Director
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
State of Missouri • P.O. Box 749 • Jefferson City, MO 65102 • Terri Durdaller • 573-751-4819
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, please contact:
Terri Durdaller
Communication Director
(573) 751-4819Re: Missouri Law Enforcement Focused on Holiday Weekend
JEFFERSON CITY, July 1, 2005—The Missouri Department of Public Safety cautions Missourians to incorporate safety into their 4th of July weekend plans. The divisions of Public Safety including the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control, the Division of Fire Safety, Missouri Capitol Police, Highway Patrol, and Water Patrol are all conducting operations to help keep the holiday weekend fun, safe and fatality free.
Alcohol and Tobacco Control will have undercover officers patrolling holiday festivities across the state this weekend, including the Lake of the Ozarks, Fair St. Louis and at the Salute to America in Jefferson City. Agents hope that by increasing their presence they will deter minors from purchasing and consuming alcohol and tobacco.
The Division of Fire Safety will investigate complaints and possibly illegal fire and fireworks-related activity. While local jurisdictions cite citizens for illegal fireworks usage, Fire Safety will focus more on inspecting fireworks stands and making sure fireworks display operators have a permit. If you are unsure if shooting off fireworks is legal in your area, call your local city government such as the city council or your local police department.
Many of the festivities this weekend will happen on or near the Capitol Complex in Jefferson City. Missouri Capitol Police will tighten security and operate a mobile command center to monitor activity at and around the Capitol Complex. An explosives detection team also plans on monitoring the area around the Capitol.
Last year 15 people died and 667 were injured in 1,455 traffic crashes over the holiday weekend. Highway Patrol will be running Operation CARE (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) this weekend, by placing all available officers on Missouri roadways.
Officers will enforce seat belt, speed and alcohol laws as well as assist motorists in distress. Troopers warn everyone that intoxicated motorists will not be tolerated. In 2004, they made 121 DWI arrests.
The July 4th weekend is one of the busiest of the year for Water Patrol. All uniformed officers will be in the field enforcing boating law. Last year there were 22 boating accidents, 2 drownings, and 1 fatality on Missouri’s lakes and rivers. Water Patrol made 52 BWI arrests and 92 drug-related arrests statewide. Water Patrol will be looking for similar violations this weekend as well as ticketing those who shoot fireworks from their vessel.
Public Safety Director James said the July 4th Weekend is the perfect time to show one’s patriotism and have some fun, as long as people remember to use their heads.
“It’s a holiday weekend filled for most with lots of highway travel, boating and fireworks,” James said. “When alcohol is thrown into the mix, human error increases and people get hurt. I urge everyone to be safe and be smart. For those who disregard the law, our officers are going to try to stop you before you hurt others and yourself.”
For more information about the work of the Department of Public Safety this holiday weekend, please contact Terri Durdaller at (573) 751-4819.