Grant money powers increased patrols

    HOULTON — Additional traffic stops will be on tap this summer thanks to a trio of grants the Houlton Police Department recently received from the Bureau of Highway Safety.     According to Chief Butch Asselin, the department received $2,100 for OUI enforcement, $1,400 for seatbelt enforcement and $3,840 for speed enforcement. The grants are designed to pay for additional patrols during peak times; this is the second year Houlton Police Department has been awarded funds for OUI and speed enforcement.
    “Every year, the department investigates speed and OUI-related accidents which result in thousands of dollars of property damage and, in some cases, personal injury,” explained Asselin. “Speed is probably the most under-reported cause factor in traffic accidents.”
    Extra patrols aren’t all that’s being done to keep traffic within the speed limits. Last year, in an effort to curb speeding, the department implemented a related policy change; the new procedure instructs officers to issue summons when a driver’s speed is over a certain amount. Depending on speed, tickets can range from $119 to $263; fines are higher if the violation occurs in a school or construction zone.
    “Speed is, without a doubt, the number one highway safety concern in Houlton,” he added.
    As far as OUI enforcement goes, Asselin considers Houlton’s OUI numbers “alarming.” In 2007, the Houlton Police Department made 78 arrests for operating under the influence.
    “Considering the population, location and the fact that there are only two bars in the community, the total is alarming,” stated Asselin. “Officers are better trained in OUI detection and a great deal of emphasis is placed on OUI enforcement.”
    Seatbelt usage is also an important factor in driver safety. With the grant, seatbelt enforcement will be concentrated on areas around the schools and other major thoroughfares in town.
    “I would estimate that less than 60 percent of drivers are in compliance with this law,” he said. “Generally, people dislike having to be dictated by the state government when it comes to seatbelt compliance … [but it’s important to remember that] seatbelts do dramatically reduce the risk of serious personal injury or even death.”