Article by SEAN HOLMES
Elkhart County Traffic Safety Partnership Coordinator

The Elkhart County Traffic Safety Partnership conducted a High Visibility Enforcement Zone over the weekend with the goal of bringing awareness to the issue of impaired driving. The Enforcement zone was very successful at locating several violations. The following are the results of that zone:

Criminal offenses: one operation while intoxicated-felony with minor in vehicle; three operating while intoxicated misdemeanors; one citation/release for possession of marijuana; two citation/release for never receiving a license-prior; three citation/release for never receiving a license and one citation/release driving while suspended-misdemeanor

Infractions: one failure to signal a turn, one failure to yield, one open container, three driving while suspended-infraction, two other license violation

This weekend’s High Visibility Enforcement Zone was conducted in the area of CR 13 south of Old US 20, this was the second weekend we have conducted a High Visibility Enforcement Zone in that area. Here are the results of the prior zone as well:

Criminal Offenses: three warrant arrests; five citations/release misdemeanors (leaving the scene of a crash, possession of look alike substance, never receiving a license, two possession of marijuana); one arrest for operating while intoxicated-felony, drug impaired, neglect of dependent, DWLS-prior, NRL, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia

Infractions: four warnings and six citations for seat belt/child restraint/learner permit violation

High Visibility Enforcement Zones and Impaired Driving Patrols are conducted using funds from grants given by Indiana Criminal Justice Institute for operation pull over to combat impaired driving. The Traffic Safety Partnership is made up from departments around the county; Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department, Elkhart, Goshen, Wakarusa, Nappanee, Bristol and the Millersburg police departments.