Extra Carthage police officers will be on the streets this weekend specifically to watch for drunk or otherwise impaired drivers as residents celebrate Cinco de Mayo.
Carthage Police Chief Greg Dagnan said the department has scheduled two officers to watch the streets and respond only to drivers who are impaired.
Dagnan said the overtime would be paid with a grant from the Missouri Department of Transportation.
"Anyone who gets a MoDOT grant will be reimbursed their costs if they take part in these saturation patrols," Dagnan said. "We chose this weekend because of the Cinco de Mayo holiday."
May 5 is celebrated in the U.S. and around the world as a day to honor Mexican heritage. It is not the Mexican independence day as commonly believed.
Dagnan said the extra officers would be on Carthage streets throughout the weekend.
"It's never worth the risk to drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Drivers could lose their license, pay large fines, or worst of all, cause a tragic loss of life," said Carthage Police Chief Greg Dagnan.
In 2006, 273 people died in more than 7,900 alcohol-related traffic crashes in Missouri.
For more information on impaired driving, visit www.saveMOlives.com.
