Eastern Panhandle Recognized for Efforts In Arresting Drunk Drivers
SOUTH CHARLESTON – For many years December has been designated as National Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month. Prevention Month has grown dramatically since 1982 when President Reagan designated December 9-15 as 3D Awareness Week. In 1991, the National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month Coalition was formed. Since that time, the group has witnessed increased efforts among communities to expand existing programs and launch new initiatives. The coalition is made up of representatives from the federal government, highway safety organizations, public health organizations, law enforcement, private industry and the military.
The West Virginia State Police has also been participated in this campaign to curb the amount of DUI offenders and to lower the amount of DUI related fatalities in the state. As part of this effort, detachments in seven counties in the eastern panhandle are being recognized by the West Virginia State Police for the impact they have had during the month of December 2006.
The seven counties in the Eastern Panhandle / Potomac Highlands area of West Virginia, known as Troop 2, totaled ninety-six (96) DUI arrests. The arrest total broke down by counties as follows:
First District
Berkeley County: 37
Jefferson County: 41
Morgan County: 3
District Total: 81
Second District
Hampshire County: 8
Mineral County: 5
Hardy County: 2
District Total: 15
Also during the month of December, Troopers participated in the Operation CARE (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) weekend. The dates for this were December 15, 16, & 17. During this effort 22 DUI arrests were made in Troop 2. This effort proved to be very successful, in that, the counties in Troop 2 had zero vehicle fatalities during this three-day period.
The following Troopers recorded multiple DUI arrests for December 2006:
Charles Town Detachment
TFC M. L. Dickerson Sr.
TFC K. W. Martin Sr.
Sr. Tpr. M. J. Glende Sr.
Tpr. V. E. Branham Sr.
Tpr. J. M. Bush
Tpr. B. W. Linn
Tpr. J. J. Phillips
Tpr. J. A. Meeks
Tpr. J. R. Barker
Martinsburg Detachment
Tpr. C. A. Ellwanger
Tpr. J. B. Flanigan
Tpr. Z. L. Nine
Tpr. D. S. See
Tpr. R. D. Eshbaugh
Tpr. M. S. Armentrout
Tpr. K. D. Castle
Tpr. J. D. Schuessler
Berkeley Springs Detachment
Tpr. B. G. Sites
Tpr. M. M. Massie
Tpr. J. L. Milam
Romney Detachment
Tpr. C. T. Kessel
Two Troopers were recognized for outstanding DUI enforcement efforts during the month of December 2006:
Trooper J. A. Meeks, Charles Town, recorded a total of 10 DUI arrests for the month of December 2006.
Senior Trooper M. J. Glende, Charles Town, recorded a total of 12 DUI arrests for the month of December 2006. Furthermore
Senior Trooper Glende recorded 7 of his 12 DUI arrests during the December Operation CARE weekend enforcement period.
Captain R. A. Blair, Troop 2 Commander stated, “Troopers assigned to Troop 2 did a remarkable job in targeting and aggressively pursuing DUI related offenses, not only during the month of December, but the entire year of 2006.”
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