Tribal police planning more patrols over holidays

Between Friday, Dec. 15, and Monday, Jan. 1, the Grand Ronde Tribal Police Department will be participating in a high visibility enforcement grant sponsored by Oregon Impact, the state Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

During the holiday season, Tribal police will have extra patrols specially geared toward stopping impaired drivers and careless, reckless and other aggressive driving habits.

“The Grand Ronde Police Department wants to remind everyone that driving under the influence of intoxicants, whether it’s alcohol, controlled substances or prescription medication, is enforceable on premises open to the public, which includes any parking lot, highway, roadway and/or street,” said Sgt. Rod McAllister.

The intent of the heightened patrol is to prevent deaths, injuries and property damage caused by impaired drivers by getting them off the road. Tribal officers are trained to look for signs of impairment beyond just alcohol, McAllister said.

The funding to support the enhanced DUII patrols is provided by a DUII High Visibility Grant awarded to the Grand Ronde Tribal Police Department from the state Department of Transportation.

To report suspected impaired drivers in the Grand Ronde area, call 503-879-2123 or anywhere in Oregon by calling 800-243-7865.