20-047 ***UPDATE*** Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Participates In Operation Dry Streets; Focusing On Roadway Safety In Florida

***UPDATE as of 8:00 a.m. on Friday, March 13, 2020***

Due to the current focus on public safety and health priorities, Operation Dry Streets scheduled for March 13-15, 2020, will be postponed.

***END OF UPDATE***

***Original news release***

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (March 11, 2020) – Today, the Florida Sheriffs Association, Florida Police Chiefs Association, and the Florida Highway Patrol announced the launch of Operation Dry Streets, a joint statewide initiative that focuses on keeping the roads safe for citizens and visitors across Florida. The operation targets those who drive impaired and otherwise jeopardize public safety by disobeying the traffic laws in Florida. This involves a three-day operation in all 67 Florida counties that includes identifying traffic violators and visible signs of impairment, enhancing overall safety, raising community awareness, and more.

“As a highly desirable tourist destination, and in addition to our 22 million permanent residents, Florida enjoys a substantial influx of visitors each year. This means more vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians traveling on our roadways, in our communities, and on our beaches,” said FSA President and Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri. “The Florida Sheriffs Association, Florida Police Chiefs Association, and Florida Highway Patrol are launching Operation Dry Streets to target anyone who drives impaired and jeopardizes public safety. If you drive on Florida’s roads do so responsibly because law enforcement will be watching. Don’t end up a statistic during this coordinated statewide operation.”

These statistics will be captured:

• Warnings issued
• Uniform traffic citations issued
• DUI arrests
• Driving While License Suspended or Revoked or no DL arrests/criminal citations
• Misdemeanor Drug and other arrests
• Felony Drug and other arrests
• Hours dedicated during this enforcement period
• Social media, sign messages, and related communications developed and distributed to citizens
• Citizen education efforts conducted through this operation

Enforcement operations will commence on March 13 and continue through March 15 with a goal of creating a safe environment to protect citizens and visitors with a statewide presence, enforcement, and education efforts.

“The Florida Police Chiefs Association (FPCA) is proud to partner with the Florida Sheriffs Association and the Florida Highway Patrol on Operation Dry Streets,” said FPCA President, Chief Kenneth Albano, Temple Terrace Police Department. “The number one priority for the Police Chiefs in the state of Florida is to create a safe environment for our citizens and visitors, and Operation Dry Streets will help us in our efforts. Each year, far too many Floridians and visitors to our state are killed or injured from drunk drivers. By partnering together on Operation Dry Streets, we will certainly save lives. We remind you to never drink and drive and stay vigilant of those around you that may be driving impaired.”  

“I would like to thank Sheriff Gualtieri and Chief Albano for coordinating this very important traffic safety initiative. The Florida Highway Patrol is dedicated to traffic safety, and we will be out in full force working alongside our sheriffs’ offices and police departments during Operation Dry Streets to ensure our residents and visitors are safe on our highways,” said Colonel Gene Spaulding, Director of the Florida Highway Patrol. “During this three-day enforcement detail, deputy sheriffs, city police officers, and state troopers will be working together to educate the public on the dangers of impaired driving, while aggressively targeting those individuals who choose to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Our goal is to ensure the residents and visitors of our state Arrive Alive.”

Watch this video for more information on the operation: https://youtu.be/g8zwu4SSgHg

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Florida Sheriffs Association
The Florida Sheriffs Association is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 corporation made up of the Sheriffs of Florida, approximately 3,500 business leaders and 70,000 citizens throughout the state. Founded in 1893, FSA has steadfastly served the citizens of Florida by supporting the needs of the state's law enforcement community. Through the Florida Sheriffs Association, Sheriffs are given a forum to address lawmakers to push for positive changes in Florida’s public safety arena. FSA also provides Sheriffs' Offices much-needed programs such as affordable training, special task forces and legislative and legal services. Dedicated to the prevention of juvenile delinquency and the development of lawful, productive citizens, FSA has established and funded the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches with facilities throughout the state to help restore hope, fulfill dreams, and prepare boys and girls for the future. It has grown to be one of the largest and most successful state law enforcement associations in the nation. For more information on the Florida Sheriffs Association, visit https://www.flsheriffs.org. 

Florida Police Chiefs Association

The Florida Police Chiefs Association is the third largest state police chiefs association in the United States. It is composed of more than 1000 of the state's top law enforcement executives. FPCA serves municipal police departments, airport police, railroad, college and university police, school board/district police, tribal police, railroad or port authority police, private business and security firms. The FPCA has members representing every region of the state. The Association was originally organized in 1952 to promote legislation that would enhance public security by providing superior police protection for the residents of Florida and its many visitors. Today, with the same goal, its role has expanded to provide better communication, education, and training for the state's various police and security agencies. The FPCA facilitates the dissemination of information, provides continuing police training, and promotes a better understanding of the police profession in general. For more Information on the FPCA, visit www.fpca.com.

Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

FLHSMV provides highway safety and security through excellence in service, education and enforcement. Florida is leading the way to A Safer Florida through the efficient and professional execution of its core mission: the issuance of driver licenses, vehicle tags and titles and operation of the Florida Highway Patrol. To learn more about FLHSMV and the services offered, visit https://www.flhsmv.gov.