Local Leaders Hope to Curb Impaired Driving
Representatives left-to-right include: IUP Highway Safety Project Research Analyst Jeff Grim, County Sheriff Bill Rupert, Armstrong-Indiana-Clarion Drug and Alcohol Commission Prevention Specialist Jennifer McCroskey, Kittanning Borough Police Chief Bruce Mathews, District Attorney Scott Andreassi, Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Joshua Osche, Trooper Travis Trimbur, Lieutenant Chris Yanoff – PSP Kittanning Station Commander –, Troop D Captain Steve Ignatz and PennDOT District 10 Public Safety Officer Deborah Casadei
by Jonathan Weaver
With nearly two dozen alcohol-related fatalities in Armstrong County last year following crashes, county law enforcement leaders are urging residents to be safe this holiday weekend.
Outside the Armstrong County Courthouse in Kittanning yesterday afternoon, Pennsylvania State Police, County and Borough police planted American flags – but not necessarily to show their patriotism Armstrong-Indiana-Clarion Drug and Alcohol Commission Prevention Specialist Jennifer McCroskey said.
“This (was) a DUI activity, talking about the number of deaths related the alcohol-related crashes over the last five years,” McCroskey said. “The flags represent each person that’s passed away.
“We’re hoping to get (the 23 flags) down to zero. We don’t want any alcohol-related crashes any where and at any time – it doesn’t just have to be Labor Day.”
Local and regional law enforcement planted American flags outside the Armstrong County Courthouse yesterday afternoon to symbolize the number of alcohol-related crash fatalities in Armstrong County last year.
According to PennDOT statistics, there were also a total of 26 drug-related crashes last year in Armstrong County.
A total of 58 road fatalities were reported last year in the five-county region – with 14 of those deaths in Armstrong.
PennDOT District 11 Safety Press Officer Jay Ofsanik has responded to such accidents first-hand as well as a line officer within the Uniontown Fire Department
“It’s devastating when there are these type of crashes,” Ofsanik said. “There are 23 people whose lives have been impacted for the rest of their lives.”
Pennsylvania State Police Troop D Butler Captain Steve Ignatz encouraged motorists to use common sense this holiday weekend given how busy police patrols were in September 2015.
“Last year, we had quite-a-few arrests for driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. The Kittanning station alone made 411 arrests – which is what I would consider to be a high number,” Captain Ignatz said. “And, a lot of those were under the influence of drugs – illegal drugs and prescription drugs.
“If you’re caught, you will be arrested and you will be prosecuted. It’s an expensive proposition to be arrested for anything let alone drinking and driving – the fines, penalties are severe because there is a great danger to the public.”
Kittanning Borough Police Chief Bruce Mathews also emphasizes safety.
“Especially with the holiday weekend, safety is still the priority. We want to make sure everybody gets home safe,” Chief Mathews said. “A lot of times during the major holidays there’s a tendency for people to celebrate a little longer and not expecting it when they hit the roads or other people.
The 23 deaths here are a grim reminder that that stuff does happen.”
Kittanning Borough is also part of the County DUI Task Force – currently led by Kiskiminetas Township Police Sergeant Christian Disciscio.
“Several times throughout the year we’ll have different checkpoints, whether stationary or roving. (The DUI Task Force) allows us to pull our resources – so we’ll have two-or-three (officers in Kittanning Borough), for more saturation patrols. It really is a valuable resource.”
Police officials did not want to reveal where there would be increased patrols this upcoming weekend, but several locations are being considered – including primary access routes.
“All roads are fair-game,” Captain Ignatz warned.
Safety officials are now also beginning to track drug-related crashes.
A few years ago, a similar public display was at the Armstrong Indiana Clarion Drug and Alcohol Commission office along U.S. Route 422 in Shelocta.
A display in Clarion County was coordinated last week, while Indiana County leaders tried to further awareness outside the Indiana County Courthouse Monday afternoon.
It is also the last weekend for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement campaign.
During the past five years, the number of total fatalities in the five-county region has slowly dipped – from 62 persons to 58 in 2015.
Local News | jweaver September 1, 2016
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By lowfatlowcarbnosugarcheesecake, September 1, 2016 @ 8:38 AM
They can start by holding local officials like school board director Jim Rearic responsible for their actions… Instead of slapping them on the wrist and allowing them to continue serving in office.
People need to see that there are consequences for actions. When people see their leaders getting away with everything (this starts at the local level and goes all the way up to the current presidential election cycle) they are going to think that they too can do whatever the hell they want with limited consequences.