News Release
November 22, 2011
For Immediate Release
Contact: Brittany Sill, Target Zero Manager: 360.239.3445 cell
Trooper Guy Gill, WSP Spokesperson: 253.606.1998 cell
The Heat is on This Winter: DUI Emphasis Patrols in Thurston County
Thurston County -- This holiday season you can expect chilly weather, but the heat is on with Target Zero law enforcement patrolling in Thurston County. All city, county, and Washington State Patrol (WSP) law enforcement will participate in DUI patrols November 24th- January 2nd in an effort to prevent serious injuries and fatalities.
This emphasis patrol is sponsored by Target Zero Thurston and funded by the Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC). These efforts are taking place statewide to prevent alcohol related collisions.
The best way to not get caught is to do the following
- take a cab
- use a designated, sober driver
- or make other arrangements to get home safely
“Holidays are for celebration. We are just asking people to do it responsibly and have a plan,” says Lt. Chris Mealy, Thurston County Sheriff’s Office and liaison (LEL) for Target Zero Thurston. Participating agencies include police departments from the WSP, Thurston County Sheriff’s Office, Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, Tenino, Yelm, Chehalis and Nisqually Tribes police departments.
“I truly believe that every time an impaired driver is removed from our roads a life could have just been saved,” says Trooper Guy Gill. This year we will be breaking new ground by using the social media site, Twitter, to showcase one evening’s events. Tweets will be sent from Trooper Gill’s patrol car on Saturday, November 26th, from 6:00 p.m. – 3:00 a.m. You can follow @wspd1pio to #tweetalong.
For media interested in ride-a-longs, please contact Brittany Sill, Target Zero Manager at 360.239.3445 or sillb@co.thurston.wa.us.
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