Police in Rhode Island make dozens of DUI-related arrests in past week
CRANSTON, R.I. (WJAR) — The Rhode Island DUI Task Force had extra eyes on drivers for the past eight days, looking for people too impaired to be out on the road.
Lt. Don Barrington of the North Kingstown Police Department said this is the first time the force has done a weeklong effort.
"Each community focused their patrols based on what they had going on in the town with events," Barrington said.
The first event to kick off St. Patrick's Day celebrations was the Newport parade last Saturday.
NBC 10 News tagged along with Barrington as patrols were increased for the big event.
"The East Bay and the West Bay police departments saturated Route 138 and Route 114 going in and out of Newport because those are the two ways into Newport, so we just worked together," Barrington said,
Barrington said between March 10 and 18, 59 allegedly impaired drivers were arrested statewide.
State police made 21 arrests.
Middletown police had nine arrests, which was the the highest number among local departments.
The number of arrests on St. Patrick's Day is similar to past years.
"You know, unfortunately, it's about the same, and I say unfortunately because people still don't get the message. It is very well publicized that we are out there, and they continue to drink and drive or drug and drive, and they get caught," Barrington said.
Police used the B.A.T. Mobile to help catch some of those drivers. It was placed in various areas across the state.
There were efforts to combat drunken driving, including a free ride program for Warwick residents.
Police said more than 400 people were issued speeding tickets in the past week as part of the effort.