Law Enforcement

Enforcement plays an important role in addressing the incidents of DWI.  Concerns of DWI statistics rising reveal that there is a problem statewide and reference has been made as to the effectiveness of DWI programs.  The goal should be to reduce the potential for DWI crashes and related injuries.  If DWI statistics increase, usually it is because there is more law enforcement and public awareness exposing and revealing the long belabored problem.  Our commitment to reduce DWI arrests, fatalities and injuries in our county weighs heavily on law enforcement. This year we hope to attain this goal with the help of new equipment needed by our enforcement agencies and overtime monies for NMMP to help with NMSP checkpoints during our major holidays. Our Task Force has recognized that funding new video cameras, for our local police department and the New Mexico State Police, have helped to remove any doubt of DWI offense in courts and saved time in the courts and time spent for officers in court surrounding DWI.

Saturation patrols during our counties peak holidays and increasing enforcement at the State Parks and Lake Areas during the summer when visitors to our area are at its highest have also helped in the deterrence of DWI. Our funding request is for the New Mexico Mounted Patrol overtime monies to help the New Mexico State Police during major holidays, and the Truth or Consequences Police Department for video equipment. With the funding of new video equipment for or Local PD and in the past for our local NMSP we have increased the enforcement effort for our county and have helped the prosecution of DWI offenders 100%. The cameras have cut the overtime for our officers by 2 to 3 hours each as most do not have to go to court when the camera has been used.

Our Local NMSP report that our DWI ‘s have increased from 58 in 2006 to 84 in 2007 these numbers are for our sub district, they attribute the increase to better trained officers and more overtime monies. As we have a shortage of State Police in our region we appreciate the help the New Mexico Mounted Patrol gives us during our major holidays.

We receive reports from the local NMSP officers, NMMP, Special Investigations Division and the TorC PD regularly. We have a good working collaboration between agencies and they are members of the DWI Task Force. Our local County Sheriffs office is consulted every year on any possible needs they might have, their response is they are severely short handed of officers and what officers they do have are busy transporting prisoners so at this time they have no needs from our Task force. They do work as close as possible with the NMSP when they have checkpoints at the lakes, and help out the PD when possible.

T or C/Sierra County DWI Prevention Program