We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
The Blaine County Sheriff’s Department was recently awarded a Selective Enforcement Traffic Enforcement (STEP) grant through the Montana Department of Transportation. Per Debbie Gomke, with the Sheriff’s Department, this will be the eleventh year the local department has received the grant. The grant combines intensive enforcement of specific traffic safety laws with extensive communication, education and outreach informing the public about the enforcement activity.
This year the grant related enforcement will occur on Saturday, July 16. Gomke said, “We want Blaine County residents to be aware this will be a collaborative effort involving Blaine County deputies, the Montana State Patrol and the Havre Police Department. All three agencies will have patrols in the county during the heightened enforcement period.” The stepped up enforcement coincides with Saturday night of the Blaine County Fair.
During the enforcement period officers will focus on DUI’s and seat belt violations. Statistically these two violations contribute to the majority of vehicle fatalities in Montana. Statewide some 50+ law enforcement agencies will be involved in heightened enforcement of specific traffic laws under similar grants.
Gomke said, “The Sheriff’s department wants the public to know there will be additional Montana Highway patrolmen and Havre Police participating in the special enforcement in Blaine County. Likely some locals will be curious as to why the Havre Police, especially, are patrolling in Blaine County. It’s all part of the special enforcement emphasis.”
Last year, during the STEP grant enforcement period, officers made 28 traffic stops, 13 of those stops were for speeding. Eight tickets were issued with three for seat belt violations, four for speeding and one other violation. Twenty-one warnings were written.
