FOND DU LAC COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) – Authorities in Fond du Lac County report 20 OWI arrests during their holiday “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign. But those aren’t the only arrests made in the county during the effort.
“This mobilization was fruitful in other ways as well – getting not just drunk drivers off the highways but getting drugs off the highways and other criminal activity. Finding people with warrants, things like that,” Sheriff Ryan Waldschmidt tells WTAQ News.
That includes three felony arrests and five drug arrests.
“There was some heroin seized. Actually a significant quantity that included a charge then for possession of heroin with intent to deliver. That came out of a traffic stop we made. Then there were two warrant arrests as well,” says Waldschmidt, “We’re out there looking for any traffic violations that could hinder safety on our highways, and specifically looking for drunk drivers.”
Fond du Lac County authorities also issued 320 speeding violations and 72 operating while suspended violations from December 13th through New Year’s Day. But Waldschmidt says the focus remained on those who seemed impaired.
“Our goal is to keep the highways safe so people can have a good time, but then those who are on the highways are safe and not having to worry about drunk drivers among them as they travel during the holiday season,” Waldschmidt says, “With those events over the holidays oftentimes comes alcohol consumption, which is all fine and good, but we also want people to think twice about drinking and driving.”
Other statistics from the campaign include:
11 traffic sign or traffic light violations
6 safety belt violations
2 Fleeing/Eluding an officer
