Published on Friday, December 30, 2005
in the Tampa Tribune

Enforcement Stepped Up For Holiday

SEBRING Whether it is combating drunk driving or misuse of fireworks, law enforcement agencies across Highlands County will be stepping up enforcement over the New Years holiday weekend.

Officials with the Florida Highway Patrol, Highlands County Sheriffs Office and Sebring, Avon Park and Lake Placid police departments are all reporting that more officers, deputies and troopers will be on the road New Years Eve.

Local law enforcement agencies will be focusing quite a bit on fighting drunk driving over the weekend.

We will have extra patrol cars out there, with targeting patrol for DUI enforcement, especially on New Years Eve, said sheriffs Lt. Jim McGann.

FHP Sgt. Gary McDonald said the sheriffs office and FHP will be participating in Operation Lights For Life over the weekend, gearing towards making highways safe. There will also be specialized FHP DUI squad on Friday night from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m.

The Sebring Police Department will also be increasing its presence in the city with more officers and patrol cars on the road.

Consistently New Years is a drinking holiday, so our officers will focus on watching for drunk drivers, said Cmdr. Steve Carr, of the Sebring Police Department.

Carr said Sebring police officers also often spend time responding to complaints over fireworks and gunshots being shot in the air over the New Years holiday.

Avon Park Police Department Chief Frank Mercurio said there will be more Avon Park officers on patrol throughout the New Years holiday weekend, with shifts running between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m.

FHP is also recommending designating a driver for any groups looking to drink over the holiday weekend.

A designated driver is not the person who has had the least to drink, but the person who has had nothing to drink, according to FHPs Web site.

FHP is also recommending taking advantage of a program being run by AAA Auto Club South, Budweiser and Bernie Little Distributors.

The Two to Go program offers a free ride and a free tow of a persons vehicle through New Years Day for anyone that has had too much to drink. Any adult who needs a ride home from a bar or restaurant during the holidays may call 1-800-AAA-HELP, according to AAA.