During the past holiday season, The Gloucester Township Police Department (GTPD) partnered with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and participated in the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Year End Holiday Crackdown. Between December 7, 2018 and January 1, 2019 GTPD increased proactive enforcement operations utilizing marked and unmarked patrols designed to combat instances of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) due to drugs and alcohol. As a result of these enhanced efforts, GTPD showed zero tolerance for impaired driving, arresting 13 offenders for Driving While Intoxicated. Additionally, 61 drivers were issued summonses for driving with a suspended driver’s license and 83 summonses were issued for careless, reckless or otherwise unsafe driving behavior.
In addition to the 13 arrests for DWI, GTPD also made several significant arrests as a result of increased patrols for other criminal violations. On December 13, 2018 a motor vehicle stop was conducted on Berlin Cross Keys Road where the Officer detected the odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. A search of the vehicle revealed a loaded Glock .40 caliber firearm and two large capacity magazines. Four (4) occupants of the vehicle were arrested and charged with Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Prohibited Weapons, Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance and Certain Person Prohibited from Possessing a Firearm. On December 20, 2018 a motor vehicle stop was conducted after the driver was suspected of operating a vehicle while intoxicated. Located near the vehicle were several beer cans as well as a controlled dangerous substance. A search of the vehicle reveled a .380 handgun loaded with hollow point ammunition inside. The driver was arrested for the weapons possession as well as charged with DWI due to being under the influence of drugs. Finally on December 21, 2018 an intoxicated driver was located after they fled the scene of a crash with injuries on Blackwood Clementon Road which resulted in the driver being charged with Assault by Auto.
Unfortunately in December 2017, approximately 885 people were killed in crashes involving a drunk driver. The Gloucester Township Police Department was proud to work with the NHTSA in support of the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Year End Crackdown campaign which aimed to reduce the number of people who lost their lives in traffic crashes involving DWI. Remember, drunk driving is not only illegal; it is a matter of life and death. Whenever you head out you need to Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over! If you see a suspected drunk driver on the road contact law enforcement immediately to report the incident. You could save the life of that driver and any number of potential innocent victims.
For additional information on the dangers of drinking and driving and on the designated driver program, visit http://www.nj.gov/oag/hts/index.html and http://www.madd.org
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Date: January 7, 2019
Media Release By: Lt. Tim Kohlmyer #206
Approved By: Capt. Brendan Barton #156
