STORIES AND EVENTS
Metro Area DWI Enforcement and Education Event
Sarpy County Sheriff Jeff Davis lead a press conference on December 3, 2010 at the Fire Guard building, 4404 South 76th Circle in Omaha. The event involved numerous Metro Omaha Area Law Enforcement agencies, including Omaha, Bellevue, Papillion and LaVista Police Departments, Douglas and Sarpy County Sheriff Departments, The Nebraska and Iowa State Patrol as well as our partners: Nebraska Office of Highway Safety, MADD, PRIDE Omaha, and AAA Nebraska. All agencies will be coordinating efforts for the Annual “You Drink and Drive, You Lose” campaign sponsored by the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety. This day also is the start of special DWI patrols throughout the holiday timeframe that runs until January 2, 2011.
There were displays and safety topics/handouts available for distribution. Metro area law enforcement participated in a “wet lab” controlled drinking environment. The "wet lab" shows the effects of impairment from drinking and the dangers that impaired drivers pose on the roadway after consuming alcoholic beverages. A demonstraton showed the “Ignition Interlock” system on a vehicle. The Ignition Interlock is a device that can be attached to the vehicle after a person is arrested for DWI and will not allow that vehicle to start if that driver is impaired. MADD believes that the ignition interlock system has the potential to reduce drunken driving deaths by as much as 50%, which equates to about 8,000 Americans lies saved each year.
The focus of the event is to -
- advance the capabilities of Metro Law Enforcement to identify impaired drivers at lower levels of blood alcohol.
- demonstrate to the public the impact a few drinks can have on their ability to drive safely through the use of a drinking (wet) lab operation.
- draw significant media attention to the positive impact that ignition interlock technology can have in preventing drunk and impaired drivers from driving.
With the onset of the Holiday season and holiday travel, all of us are concerned and want to make sure that everyone is safe in their travels this year for the Christmas season and always.
November 2010
Employees recognized at Sarpy County Board meeting
Two sheriff's office employees were recognized at a Sarpy County Board meeting by Sheriff Davis. Sgt. Bruce Meyer received a Sheriff's Office Commendation award for his efforts in organizing the structure and operations of the sheriff's office Field Force Unit. His leadership skills, motivation and knowledge have attributed to the success of the unit.
Sheriff Davis also recognized staff member Jackie Yost. She was presented with a Department Letter of Recognition award. Yost has continually worked to research alternative resources to save the county money. A recent undertaking by Yost to find a new vendor for the county resulted in better services at a lower cost.
Both employees were thanked by Sheriff Davis and County Board members for their self-motivation and excellent job performance.
June 2009
ReRuns R Fun Donates to DARE
Anna Sortino of "ReRuns R Fun" donated a check for $5,000 to DARE at a Sarpy County DARE graduation at Rumsey Station Elementary School . Deputy Evan Strobbe received the check on behalf of the Sarpy County DARE program. ReRuns is an organization that holds consignment sales and uses the proceeds from those sales to donate to charitable causes.
May 2009
LB 736 passed
Research has shown that first-time DUI offenders have driven drunk an average of 87 times before they’re finally arrested. The main reason that drivers continue to drive drunk is because they can! About one-third of all drivers arrested for driving while drunk have had a previous drunk driving conviction. A bill currently in the Nebraska legislature calls for the installation of an alcohol ignition interlock device upon conviction for a first offense, with longer interlock periods for a second offense, or first offense with a blood alcohol content of 0.15 or higher. In 2007, 10,711 individuals were convicted of drunk-driving in the state of Nebraska, with 7,725 (72%) of these individuals caught for their first offense. Consequently, inclusion of interlock ignition on these offender vehicles may greatly reduce the chances of a repeat offense. In addition, the enforcement of this technology is enhanced by requiring all Nebraska offenders to carry an interlock ignition restriction permit. Studies have shown that alcohol ignition interlocks, when used, are up to 90% effective in keeping both first-time and repeat offenders from repeating this crime. For more information on interlock ignition technology, visit the MADD National web site at http://www.madd.org or Smart Start Inc., at http://www.smartstartinc.com/index.htm. (Click the image to watch the special report from Papio Vision)
Jan 2009
Sheriff Jeff Davis announced that the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety awarded the Sarpy County Sheriff's Department a grant for the “Click it or Ticket “campaign, which ran statewide November 24-30, 2008. The selective Traffic Enforcement focused on seat belt and child car seat safety and usage. Nebraska Office of Highway Safety approved $5,279 for the extra enforcement and deputies that worked the assignment.
Nov 2008
Halloween Safety
Sheriff Jeff Davis and our partners at M.A.D.D. (Mothers Against Drunk Drivers) would like to provide the following safety tips for parents and drivers in the areas where children will be out in trick or treat activities.
- Don't use a cell phone while driving through neighborhoods. A single distraction could lead to a tragedy.
- Drive well below the posted speed limit.
- Pay attention to what is happening on sidewalks and roads. Watch for children running across streets and between parked cars.
- Be extra alert when pulling in and out of driveways.
- Do not assume children can see you or are paying attention. You need to take that responsibility.
- Check that all lights on your car work.
- Do not pass other vehicles that have stopped in the road. They could be dropping off children.
- Put your hazard lights on when stopped along the curb if you are driving a group of children to alert other motorists.
- Put your mask on after you park your car if you are driving to a Halloween party.
Sheriff Davis directs that extra patrols be placed out on Halloween, assisting parents and children in the neighborhoods. Two-thirds of all highway fatal crashes on Halloween are alcohol related. Do not think about getting behind the wheel of a car if you have been drinking. Don't become a drunk driving statistic or cause an alcohol-related statistic to happen. Please report any drunk or impaired drivers by dialing 911.
Let us all make sure that everyone brings home treats on Halloween, not tragedies.
Oct. 2008