Police to Use Grant Money for Overtime DWI Patrols

With eight driving while intoxicated arrests during this same week in 2011, the township council unanimously approved a resolution Monday that will allow for the police department to hold overtime shifts for another driving sober program.

The resolution allows for $4,400 to be inserted into the 2012 budget, from the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety.

According to James Naples, township administrator, the police department also received the funds in 2011, and they used it for 18 overtime shifts, of five hours at a time.

"It is for overtime grants for patrols for officers for driving while intoxicated activity, and enforcing it," he said.

These specific funds are being used for the being held from Aug. 17 through Sept. 3.

Naples said the program was successful in 2011.

According to information from the police department, during the program in 2011, they had eight arrests for driving while intoxicated, five arrests on felony charges, 20 arrests for outstanding warrants and 341 motor vehicle summonses.

Do you think this kind of program is worthwhile for the local police department?