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Police Department
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DUI Enforcement and Awareness Efforts Jump to "Avoid the 25" Award Ceremony
El Cerrito Police Dept. Launches Program The El Cerrito Police Department has been awarded a new traffic safety grant for a year-long anti-DUI program aimed at preventing deaths and injuries on our roadways. New enforcement measures to combat impaired driving are coming as a result of a recent $135,000 grant awarded by the California Office of Traffic Safety to El Cerrito. The El Cerrito Police Department, and specifically the Traffic Safety Unit, is dedicated to keeping our streets safe through both enforcement and education. There are far too many collisions in El Cerrito where alcohol has been a factor. One collision where a driver decided to get behind the wheel and drive after consuming an alcoholic beverage is one too many," said Sgt. Steve Bonini who supervises the Traffic Safety Unit. "It is simple; if you decide to go out for an evening of fun and drinking, assign a designated driver who will consume NO alcoholic beverages during the evening."
The special DUI Enforcement and Awareness grant is to assist in efforts to reduce the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol and other drug related collisions. The grant activities will specifically target impaired driving offenders as well as educate the public on the dangers of impaired driving. This will be done through the use of Drunk driving is one of America’s deadliest crimes. In 2008, over 11,700 people died in highway crashes involving a driver or motorcycle operator with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. Funding for the grant comes from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
ECPD Hosted "Avoid the 25" Award Ceremony on June 22, 2010
Six ECPD officers received "Avoid the 25" Awards from the Office of Traffic Safety. Those Officers are; Sergeant Shawn Maples, Officer John-Tracy Wahrlich, Officer Bailey Thepkaysone, Officer Paul Cooper, Officer Mario Guzman, and Officer Mike Hernandez. These six Officers made 71 Driving Under the Influence (DUI)arrests during December, and saved countless lives during the month.
This was the first year Mother's Against Drunk Driving (MADD) presented awards as well. The "Avoid the 25" is closely involved with MADD and the California Office of Traffic Safety. Through the guiding actions of these organizations, the "Avoid" campaigns are made possible in every County within the State. MADD presented awards to Officers with 25 or more DUI arrests. ECPD Officers John-Tracy Wahrlich and Bailey Thepkaysone qualified for this 1st annual award. MADD has an additional category, recognizing supervisors and their abilities to lead and focus Officers toward DUI enforcement. Sergeant Shawn Maples received the Supervisor’s Award for his dedicated efforts.
"We are proud of our officers for their efforts. Unfortunately, their high level of enforcement is a clear indication that Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs is still a prominent issue in our society," said Lieutenant Steve Bonini.
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10890 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito, CA 94530-2323 Tel 510 215-4300 Fax 510 215-4319 E-Mail comments@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us copyright © 2000 2010 all rights reserved
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