EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Borderland agencies are gearing up for the Labor Day weekend, as increased law enforcement will take over the streets.
El Paso County Sheriff’s Office
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office multi-agency DWI Task Force will be out in “full force” starting on Friday, Aug. 29, through Monday, Sept. 2, across El Paso County.
Enhanced enforcement operations will be conducted, focused on identifying and arresting drunk drivers to help keep roadways safe during the holiday weekend, according to EPCSO.
EPCSO is reminding the community that drinking and driving is never worth the risk.
Deputies and officers from multiple partner agencies will increase patrols and conduct targeted enforcement to reduce the dangers associated with drunk driving.
“The goal of these operations is to save lives and keep our community safe,” Sheriff Oscar Ugarte said. “Driving under the influence endangers everyone on the road. This Labor Day weekend, we want families to celebrate responsibly and make it home safely. Plan ahead, designate a sober driver, and help us prevent tragedies on our roadways.”
Participating agencies in the multi-agency task force include:
- El Paso County Sheriff’s Office
- El Paso Police Department
- Horizon City Police Department
- Socorro Police Department
- Anthony Police Department
- Clint Police Department
- Texas Department of Public Safety
- El Paso County Constable’s Office
“The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office encourages everyone to celebrate responsibly: use a designated driver, call a rideshare, or arrange alternate transportation if you plan to drink,” read the news release.
New Mexico State Police
The New Mexico State Police will be conducting sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols, and registration, insurance, and driver’s license checkpoints in all New Mexico counties during September.
“We are bringing awareness to these events to reduce impaired driving-related fatalities through continued media attention and intensive advertising,” read the news release by NMSP.
Additionally, the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) Traffic Safety Division provides overtime grant funding to local law enforcement agencies for traffic safety enforcement, training, education, and equipment in high-risk areas statewide.
This partnership strengthens efforts to enhance road safety and reduce drunk driving across New Mexico communities, creating safer roads for all, according to NMSP.
Texas Department of Public Safety
Operation Crash Awareness Reduction Effort (CARE), which runs from Aug. 29-Sept. 1, is a campaign in which Texas Highway Patrol Troopers look for drivers who are speeding, intoxicated, not complying with Texas’ Move Over, Slow Down law, or violating other laws, according to a news release by Texas DPS.
The goal is to reduce the number of traffic crashes and deaths on Texas roads.
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