Police to take extra safety, security precautions on New Year's Eve

Additional patrols will enforce zero-tolerance for underage drinking on New Year's weekend as part of the Safe Communities Program of the Cape Girardeau Police Department, police said.

Backed by a three-year grant through the Missouri Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, the department will focus on driving while intoxicated, underage drinking and party patrol, said spokesman Sgt. Barry Hovis.

Six officers will be added to the typical 10 to 12 evening patrol officers, he said, and the "saturation and party patrol" officers will drive around designated areas instead of waiting at check points for cars to pass through.

"We want to be seen," Hovis said. "We hope that it would encourage people to seek alternatives modes of transportation."

Several patrol officers will be specifically trained to handle encounters with underage drinking, whether during a traffic stop or when called to a party, Hovis said.

The grant, called the Community Trials Initiative, targets underage drinking by enabling law enforcement agencies to conduct research-based prevention planning and to implement practices to enforce the underage drinking laws.

Missouri's new minor in possession by consumption law, which became effective on Aug. 28, expands the old law's definition of possession to include "possession by consumption" and being "visibly intoxicated." Under the new law, minors who plead guilty to or are convicted of possession will have their driver's license suspended for 30 days for the first offense, 90 days for the second offense and revoked for a year for the third or any subsequent minor in possession offense.

As of Dec. 26, Cape Girardeau had seen 396 DWI arrests this year, which is up from 270 arrests in 2003 and 319 arrests in 2004, Hovis said. Missouri roadway fatalities have also increased 8 percent in 2005 with 1,207 fatalities as of Dec. 26, compared to 1,130 fatalities in all of 2004.

Missouri also saw 12 statewide deaths caused by motor vehicle accidents during the 2004 to 2005 New Year's weekend, said trooper Nathan Wheeles of the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Since roadways are busy New Year's weekend, Wheeles said commuters need to be especially vigilant of Missouri's "Slow Down, Move Over" law that requires drivers to slow down and move into the passing lane for all emergency vehicles stopped along the roadway.

In addition, Wheeles said the highway patrol will enforce seatbelt/child restraint laws and DWI laws by setting up sobriety check points.

The Bollinger County Sheriff's Department will also put out extra patrol, said Sgt. Stash Petton.

The Jackson Police Department and Perry County Sheriff's Department said patrols will remain as in the past. The Cape Girardeau Sheriff's Department could not be reached for comment.

jmetelski@semissourian.com