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Some funds would also be used for DUI saturation patrols. This is a perennial traffic safety/public <br />concern. We have participated with the Safe & Sober project in the past and have had very good <br />success in the program. The number of DUI arrests in Elk River have increased during the Safe dr <br />Sober project year only because of the Safe & Sober funding. Without the Safe & Sober funding <br />in 1994/95 and 1995/96 we would have had nearly the same or less DUI arrests during those <br />years compared to previous years. This is because of personnel shortages, especially on the night <br />shills. Because of the overtime funding, these arrests increased. We are not eligible for funding <br />through the Safe & Sober program this year because of a three consecutive year limitation on <br />agencies. We believe that this program has been very vital and helpful to the traffic safety in our <br />community. People and businesses in our community have been very supportive oftraffc safety <br />efforts of the Safe & Sober program by sponsoring advertisements, and events. <br /> <br />Our goals in this component are to decrease the number of accidents along Highway 169 between <br />193rd Avenue and Main Street, increase motorists comfort by deterring pedestrians from not <br />using intersections in this same area, maintain a perception of the likelihood of being arrested for <br />driving under the influence of alcohol, and making other targeted streets safe for motorist and <br />pedestrians. <br />Juvenile Curfew and Alcohol Enforcement <br /> <br />The second component of the program is Juvenile Curfew and Alcohol Enforcement. This, along <br />with the third component, Neighborhood Crime Reduction Patrols, would account for the <br />majority of the funds. These two components seem to go hand in hand. This component would <br />use the overtime funds to provide shills to enforce curfew violations and alcohol violations <br />(including detection and apprehension of 'procuring for minors' violations). Curfew violations are <br />sporadically enforced at present because of call load and priority to other offenses. However, <br />locally and statewide there now seems to be a realization that a high percentage of the juveniles <br />that are out in violation of curfew are committing a wide variety of other crimes. Most of these <br />other crimes, at least in Elk River, are thefts, thefts from vehicle, vandalism and damage to <br />property, in our neighborhoods. That is why the curfew enforcement and the neighborhood crime <br />reductions patrols go hand in hand. Recently, the City of Elk River amended its curfew ordinance <br />to make it more enforceable. If the curfew ordinance is strictly enforced the number of incidents <br />of those other crimes should decrease also. The curfew enforcement would be done primarily <br />during the warm weather months. <br /> <br />The juvenile alcohol problem is a growing concern in our community. It is a problem that has <br />been discussed by the Chemical Dependancy Counselor with our juvenile officers and with the <br />press. While some school districts seem to have a reputation for other problems, such as drugs, <br />Elk River seems to have a reputation for alcohol use and abuse. Alcohol arrests have remained <br />fairly consistent the last four years. These numbers are down however, from some of the previous <br />years. Due to the increase in calls for assistance and inadequate staffing for the population and call <br />increases, many violations (especially in large party situations) are not cited. Simply put, when <br />there are only two officers working on the shift, officers can no longer afford to be 'tied up' for <br />an hour or longer processing underage drinkers. Parties, often times, are simply dispersed. <br /> <br />4 <br /> <br /> <br />