MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
a division of the
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

TROOP C HEADQUARTERS
891 Technology Drive
Weldon Spring, MO 63304


NEWS RELEASE

For further information please contact: Sergeant Al Nothum
(636) 300-2800
C2014-044
September 9, 2014

EMPHASIS: Law Enforcement Agencies Will Enforce Laws To Prevent Injuries And Protect Public Safety During Attempt To Block I-70 - Motorists encouraged to use alternate routes to avoid I-70 between Lucas & Hunt and I-170


The Missouri State Highway Patrol, St. Louis County Police and St. Louis Metropolitan Police announced today that on Wednesday, September 10 all three law enforcement agencies will work as a unified team to prevent injuries and protect public safety in the event of an effort to block Interstate 70 in north St. Louis County.

“Attempting to block an interstate highway is unsafe and unacceptable,” said Capt. Ron Johnson, Highway Patrol Troop C Commander. “People trying to shut down I-70 would not only create a very serious hazard for themselves, but also for motorists simply trying to get home from school or work. The Patrol and St. Louis County and St. Louis City police will act to enforce the law and ensure public safety.”
On Monday, Capt. Johnson and members of the three law enforcement agencies met with organizers, who have stated they plan to disrupt and stop I-70 traffic by marching onto the highway during rush hour traffic at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon.

“The leadership of all three law enforcement agencies expressed our deep concern for this dangerous action and our resolve to act to protect the safety of all involved,” Johnson said. “Unfortunately, the organizers were unwilling to be dissuaded from this course of action.”

“When a patient is being transported from an accident scene, every second is critical,” said Chief Chris Cebollero of Christian Hospital EMS, which responds and transports patients in the area expected to be affected Wednesday. “This planned highway disruption not only has the potential to injure protesters, but to create traffic gridlock and threaten the ability of ambulances to get patients in need of urgent care to hospitals as quickly as possible.”

“This pre-planned, organized action presents the danger of delaying the response times of fire trucks and other emergency response vehicles if a fire, motor vehicle crash or some other emergency takes place in the area,” said Chief Quinten Randolph of the Northeast Ambulance and Fire Protection District, which responds in the area where the highway closure is planned. “I join law enforcement leaders in urging the organizers to choose a less dangerous method of demonstrating.”

Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes to avoid the affected area after 3 p.m. on Wednesday and to follow traffic updates from local media. Also, MoDOT will use its Traveler Info Map at http://traveler.modot.org/map/ and highway message boards to update motorists on traffic conditions in the area.

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