By Brian Livingston
blivingston@themeridianstar.com
Despite the overall number of people who drew some sort of offense during the recent holiday safe driving blitz — "Over the Limit, Under Arrest" — an important factor is not one traffic fatality was recorded in Lauderdale County during the blitz period from Dec. 13 through Dec. 31.
An optimist, such as Meridian Police Department Administrative Capt. Rick McCary, likes to believe the lower numbers recorded in Meridian are due to motorists becoming more aware of traffic laws. A pessimist, however, might assume that law enforcement officers missed the large majority of offenders.
"No matter how you look at the numbers, the fact we ran almost an equal number of checkpoints for about the same time frame as last year, we still noted there were fewer offenders this year," said McCary. "That's encouraging."
Officials with the MPD said the overall number of offenders during the period was 17 percent below last year's total. In one of the crucial categories relating to DUIs, the MPD arrested 23 people as opposed to 30 arrests during the same period last year. In all, covering such violations as the non-use of seat belts to possession of drugs, 599 citations and arrests were made during the 18-day period.
Deputies of the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department logged 247 citations and arrests written in the same period. LCSD Chief Dep. Ward Calhoun said the final tally was up slightly from last year. But the most important element of the blitz, according to him, was the fact no one lost their life in a vehicle accident.
"We were happy to join other law enforcement agencies in the county, state and nationally to try and make the roadways safer," said Calhoun. "One of the goals to the blitz was to plant a message into the minds of motorists not to drive under the influence of anything and to drive safely. I hope that message continues into this new year."
Calhoun noted the amount of time and effort by deputies during this busy time of year in manning these checkpoints.
"We have a dedicated force of men and women," he added. "I hope the people of Lauderdale County understand the time they spent away from their own families during this holiday period in order to try and keep the roadways safe for others."
The numbers:
LCSD
DUI arrests: 11
Seat belt violations: 38
Child restraint violations: 5
Felony arrests: 0
Fugitives apprehended: 35
Suspended licenses: 20
Uninsured motorists: 25
Speeding: 0
Reckless driving: 3
Drug arrests: 4
Other: 106
MPD
DUIs: 23
Seat belt violations: 86
Child restraint violations: 72
Warrants served: 6
Suspended licenses: 41
Uninsured motorists: 87
Speeding: 86
Reckless driving: 30
Drug arrests: 4
Other violations: 164
Local News
Blitz numbers released
City sees drop in number of offenses; county sees rise
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In memory of those who died
A 21-gun salute is a common part of any Memorial Day program.
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The Mississippi Craft Center will present Choctaw Expressions as the featured cultural and historical exhibit for the month of June.
The presentation will showcase the rich and unique heritage of the Mississippi Choctaw Indians with traditional cultural arts and artifacts. The exhibition is set to open to the public on Friday, June 1 at 10 a.m. The Mississippi Craft Center, located in Ridgeland, is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with free admission and will highlight this unique event through June 30. -
Earth’s Bounty Festival Saturday
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The expanded version of the current farmer's market will take place on the first Saturday of every month from June-November at Singing Brakeman Park in Meridian near Union Station. -
WWI soldier’s family receives Purple Heart
About three weeks before the end of WW I, two young officers with the 320 Machine Gun Battalion crept through the battered moonscape of France on a mission to find new positions for their weapons.
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Man dies of gunshot wound
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Meridian soldier to receive posthumous Purple Heart
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Keeping time with the Disabled American Veterans
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