A Proclamation by the Sheriff Donnie Smith of the Washington County Sheriff's Office

A Proclamation by the Sheriff Donnie Smith of the Washington County Sheriff's Office

WHEREAS, the safety and security of the citizens of Washington County and surrounding areas are vitally important; and

WHEREAS, a large percentage of our citizens regularly drive or ride in motor vehicles on our roadways; and

WHEREAS, an estimated 16 percent of motorists nationally still fail to regularly wear their seat belts while driving or riding in motor vehicles; and

WHEREAS, regular seat belt use is the single most effective way to protect people and to reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes;

AND WHEREAS, the use of seat belts is supported by the laws of Washington County and the State of Maine;

AND WHEREAS, May 24 through June 6, 2010, has been selected as the national Click It or Ticket mobilization enforcement period;

AND WHEREAS, across the country law enforcement officers will actively be participating in the mobilization to ensure all motor vehicle occupants are buckled up day and night to reduce the risk of injury and death caused in traffic crashes;

AND WHEREAS, increased enforcement of seat belt laws coupled with publicity has proven to be an effective method to increase seat belt use rates and decrease fatal crashes;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Donnie Smith, Sheriff of Washington County, do hereby proclaim and announce May 24 to June 6, 2010, as the Click It or Ticket Mobilization in Washington County , and urge all citizens to always wear seat belts when driving or riding on our roadways.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF

I have hereunto set my hand on behalf of Washington County.

Sheriff Donnie Smith

Washington County Sheriff

Motorists Beware: Not Wearing a Seat Belt Could Cost You

Motorists Beware: Not Wearing a Seat Belt Could Cost You

Click It or Ticket Kicks Off May 24

For you and your family, seat belts provide the best defense against impaired, distracted and aggressive drivers. In fact, wearing your seat belt is the single most effective crash protection available. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2008 the use of seat belts in passenger vehicles saved an estimated 13,250 lives. An additional 4,152 lives would have been saved if all unrestrained passenger vehicle occupants 5 and older involved in fatal crashes had worn their seat belts.

However, a seat belt can’t save even one life if it’s not used. And that’s where enforcement comes into play. High-visibility enforcement campaigns such as the annual Click It or Ticket mobilization are widely credited with increasing the national seat belt usage rate from 58 percent in 1994 to an observed rate of 84 percent today.

In spite of this dramatic increase, we can’t afford to waiver on belt enforcement now. There are thousands more lives yet to be saved. And by any measure, the personal and societal costs of those lives, if lost to us, are far too great to bear.

To protect local lives, the Washington County Sheriff's Office will join together with law enforcement officers, highway safety officials and safety advocates across the country in support of the 2010 Click It or Ticket mobilization. During the May 24–June 6, 2010, campaign, Washington County motorists can expect to receive tickets, not a warnings, if officers find them out on the roads unbuckled. Moreover, motorists can also expect that Washington County Sheriff Deputies will be out in force — both day and night.

Because nighttime drivers are among those least likely to buckle up, nighttime enforcement has become a hallmark of the Click It or Ticket mobilization. In fact, of those who died in nighttime crashes in 2008, nearly two-thirds (64%) were not wearing seat belts at the time of the crashes.

Teens and young adults, who neglect to buckle up in greater numbers than any other age demographic, are also at an increased risk of dying in a crash. Sadly, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for American youth, exceeding all crime- and disease-related causes.

There’s no question about it: Seat belts save lives. Spread the word to your family and friends to buckle up. You could save them the cost of a ticket. Even better: You could save a life. Remember: this May 24 to –June 6, 2010, it’s Click It or Ticket.

For more on the national seat belt mobilization, visit Click It or Ticket headquarters at www.nhtsa.gov.

Arrests

On or about May 15^th the deputies from Washington County Sheriff’s Office received a citizen tip about a possible underage drinking party in a remote gravel pit off the Stud Mill Road in Big Lake Township. An enforcement detail was organized and several Deputies from the Office of the Sheriff responded to the location.

Upon arriving at the gravel pit a very large group of individuals were observed congregating around a large bonfire. Approximately ½ of the group fled into the nearby woods on foot, several appearing to be under the age of 21. Deputies also noticed evidence of active drinking. The pit was secured and individuals were identified. The party was estimated to consist of approximately 100 people up the Sheriff’s Office arrival. Once juveniles (under 18 years of age), minors (between 18 and 20 years of age), and adults (21 years of age or greater) were identified Deputies began to process alcohol violations.

In all between juveniles and minors over 35 summons were issued for alcohol violations, drug possession, and littering. During the processing stage of the investigation rocks were thrown at the Deputies. No officers were hurt or struck but one cruiser was struck. It did not sustain any substantial damage however. Also during the processing fires were set in and around the woods of the pit. Due to current conditions these fires did not pose an immediate threat to persons or property; however the Maine Forest Service was called to respond and investigate the fires, trespass, and littering issues.

With help from Maine Forest Service Forest Rangers, the Sheriff’s Office was able to shut down the party safely. The pit where this underage drinking party occurred is not an authorized fire permit site, nor is it an authorized camping site. ALL of the persons present at this party were considered to be trespassing. In the process of shutting down the party 5 vehicles were towed from the pit at the owner’s expense. Forest Ranger’s Jeff Currier and Courtney Hammond extinguished the fires and cleaned as a result of the party.

It is believed that a possible reason for the party is in celebration of the Prom at Baileyville High School. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office does take a firm stance against underage drinking because of the severe health and safety problem that it causes. Anyone with information on an underage drinking party is encouraged to call and report it. You can call 1-800-432-7303, and you can remain anonymous.

Any questions about this can be directed to Lt. Travis J. Willey of the Washington County SO, at 598-5545.

Thank you,

Sheriff Donnie Smith