DWI arrests down during holiday patrol

Gregg County Sheriff¹s Office officials say publicity about stepped-up patrols during the July 4th holiday seemed to work as DWI arrests were down.  

The 11-day DWI "high-intensity" enforcement project by GCSO deputies netted only two DWI arrests, according to Lt. Mike Claxton. The patrols ended July 6. "This is exactly the reaction law enforcement wanted ­ a reduction in driving while intoxicated arrests," Claxton said in a news release issued on Wednesday. "We have been very vocal with publicity and educational efforts through the media and based on these latest numbers, the public responded positively," he said, adding that with only two DWI arrests, "you got to believe that our publicity and advertising campaign directed at the consequences of a DWI arrests certainly contributed to this decline, especially since this particular event included a volley of high trafficking motorist traveling to and from the areas recreational lakes." A study of overall activity for this period reflected 12 other arrests, the issuance of 29 written and 92 warning citations. The last two waves of enforcement of the "Texas, Drink, Drive and Go to Jail" campaign - Christmas-New Year¹s and Spring Break - resulted in 10 DWI arrests. Thirty-six other arrests were made as well as 539 written or warning citations were issued. "Overall we are considerably down in every reporting category," Claxton said. "We hope that this downward trend continues," Sheriff Maxey Cerliano said.