Cop Crackdown Detail On St. Patrick's Day Parade Pays Off, Prosecutor's Office Says

The massive law enforcement initiative by 10 Ocean County police departments caught four drunk drivers, three controlled dangerous substance users, 38 violations and six fight and assault arrests, during St. Patrick's Day weekend, a spokesman for the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.

The Ocean County law enforcement Route 35/37 traffic enforcement detail for March 11, 2017 produced an impressive enforcement outcome bringing added safety to the significantly high volume traffic activity from the the Seaside Heights St. Patrick’s Day parade.

The detail perimeters included State Highway 35 from Seaside Park Borough to Point Pleasant Beach and State Highway 37 Seaside Heights to Manchester Township. The detail encompassed ten local police departments traversing the Route 35 and Route 37 highways.

The detail was a pro-active effort to prevent accidents and address traffic violations following the parade. It included engineering, education and enforcement.

The initiative included the following police departments:

Seaside Heights Police Department

Seaside Park Police Department

Toms River Police Department

Lavallette Police Department

Brick Police Department

Berkeley Township Police Department

Mantoloking Police Department

Bay Head Police Department

Point Pleasant Beach Police Department

Manchester Police Department

Lakehurst Police Department

Ocean County Prosecutor's Office

Ocean County Sheriff's Department

NJ State Police Troop "C" Tactical Patrol Unit & D.U.I. Enforcement Patrol

Ocean County Road Department

Ocean County Engineering Department

New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety

New Jersey Department of Transportation

Detail patrols were told to aggressively enforce NJ motor vehicle statutes that are common contributory causes of crashes.

The offenses included driving while under the influence, aggressive driving, improper/unsafe turning, failing to yield, failing to keep right, improper passing, inattentive driving, disregard of traffic signals, excessive speed, following too closely and various commercial carrier violations such as overweight, equipment maintenance and inadequate brake pressure. Equipped participating agencies used automated License Plate Readers.

Approximately six variable message signs were strategically placed reading "Traffic Enforcement Detail in Effect" - "Obey All Traffic Laws" to raise awareness regarding the enforcement action.

Image: Patch file photo.