RAYNHAM – Chief James Donovan reports that the Raynham Police Department will be conducting targeted enforcement of liquor-related laws, including participating in the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement campaign and conducting alcohol compliance checks.
“As we are in the peak of the holiday season, and with the New Year holiday fast upon us, we would like to remind community members to make safe and responsible decisions,” Chief Donovan said. “To ensure everyone’s safety and compliance with state laws, we will be conducting impaired driving patrols and alcohol compliance checks in the coming weeks.”
“Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Enforcement Campaign
The Raynham Police Department was recently awarded a $29,950 Municipal Road Safety grant to increase the number of impaired driving patrols during the holiday season as part of the national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement campaign.
During the campaign, the Raynham Police Department will have several officers on the lookout for impaired and reckless drivers on the roads. Everyone is reminded to never get behind the wheel if they have been drinking and to never get into a vehicle if the driver is impaired.
Instead, police urge motorists who have been drinking or using marijuana or other drugs to plan ahead and designate a driver, use a ride-sharing service or take public transportation.
For more information on the Office of Grants and Research’s Municipal Road Safety and impaired driving enforcement grant program, as well as the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign, click here.
Alcohol Compliance Checks
The Raynham Police Department will also be conducting random alcohol compliance checks at local establishments licensed to sell alcohol over the next couple of weeks.
Compliance checks are done to prevent people under the age of 21 from obtaining alcohol, and to ensure that local businesses and restaurants that hold liquor licenses, and their employees, are not providing alcohol to minors. Effective and regular compliance checks help reduce the sale of alcohol to minors and curb underage drinking, as well as help prevent issues connected to alcohol consumption such as alcohol-related traffic crashes, crime, health issues and poor performance in school.
These enforcement actions are not related to any specific rise or spike in underage drinking in Raynham, but instead are a proactive approach by the police department in dealing with a problem facing every city and town.
The Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission requires that local authorities notify the public that they intend to conduct compliance checks prior to doing so. Please visit the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission website for more information.
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