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Crime & Safety

CPD Boosting DUI Patrols Through End of Year

Cranford received $5,000 in state funding as part of "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign.

It may be the season to be jolly, but Cranford Police are making sure that revelvers who have had too much spiked eggnog are punished for being behind the wheel after celebrating.

Cranford Police Chief Eric Mason was awarded $5,000 in state funding to pay for extra police officers on duty until the New Year, in a time period where impaired driving increases by nearly 10 percent. Mason said the increased anti-DUI patrols will run through the end of the year as part of a state-wide campaign.

Cranford is one of 98 municipalities to receive funding for the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” program, including nine municipalities in Union County.

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Other Union County in the county program include Elizabeth, Kenilworth, Linden, New Providence, Roselle Park, Scotch Plains, Union and Westfield.

"This initiative brings attention to the serious consequences of drunk driving and the grave danger those who choose to drink and drive pose to all who share the road with them," Mason said.

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“"This is a critical law-enforcement program that can save lives,” Mason said.  

Part of the campaign is to set up more checkpoints to check if drivers are sober. In 2010, the checkpoints throughout New Jersey resulted in 2.115 DWI arrests – up from 1,959 from 2009, according to data from the New Jersey Attorney General’s office.

Participating municipalities have logged in an increased amount of speeding and seat belt infractions, with 8,687 and 5,119 tickets issued, respectively. 

“The decision to drive drunk is not only illegal, but reckless and irresponsible behavior, one that puts motorists choosing to do so and the public at large in great danger,” said Attorney General Paula Dow in a statement. “The winter holiday saturation patrols and checkpoints will be deployed to apprehend those who ignore our warnings and ultimately to save lives.”

In 2010, there were 168 fatalities directly attributed to impaired driving in the state, accounting for 30 percent of the 556 total crash fatalities, she said.

Rebecca Lewis, a Cranford resident, said she appreciates the increased patrol because she thinks that the nightlife in Cranford has the potential to get rowdy, and this initiative could help keep it under control.

Lewis said she likes having bars in the downtown area so she doesn’t have to go far from home to get a drink, but she knows people who have travelled far to come to the bars in town.

 “I haven’t noticed too many extra police around, but I’m happy they are here. The last thing we need is a tragedy this close to the holiday season,” she said. “Hopefully, this will encourage people to ask responsibly.”

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