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February 16, 2009

County funds sobriety checkpoints

Lawrence County’s district attorney’s office will fund sobriety checkpoints in Mahoning and Pulaski townships.

This week, $1,000 went to the Northwest Lawrence Regional Police Department, which patrols the two townships.

The check was accepted by Chief James B. Morris Jr. and the Mahoning Township supervisors at their meeting this week. They said the money will be used to offset the overtime costs to the officers participating in the checkpoints.

District Attorney John Bongivengo explained the money comes a bad check restitution program which his office set up for first-time offenders and drug forfeitures.

The checkpoints, he said, enable police to get drunk drivers off roads, but checkpoints are not limited to that.

“We appreciate the money,” Morris said.

He explained that DUI checkpoints are more complicated than getting a few officers together and stopping every car that comes by. The law requires that signs be posted informing motorists they are approaching a checkpoint and be prepared to stop. He said the stops must be quick and not impede traffic and officers must be trained prior to taking part.

A township resident asked why police advertise the checkpoints prior to staging them.

Morris said advertising is required by law.

“This is required for arrests and citations to be valid,” he said. “We must advertise that we will be doing it, but we’re not specific on where or the exact time.

The supervisors authorized township solicitor Lou Perrotta to prepare ordinances to accept Arena Lane and Quaker Heights Road., Residents of both have petitioned the supervisors to accept the roads as ordained streets.

Perrotta also was authorized to begin negotiations with Comcast to provide cable television to township residents. Currently, he said, the township has three separate contracts with the cable provider.

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