The Findlay District of the Ohio State Highway Patrol calls their 11th annual “Light for Lives” a success.  Troopers in Northwest Ohio, worked with law enforcement from 12 different counties, including Allen, Putnam, Hancock, Hardin, and Van Wert counties to stop as many motorist that they see committing traffic violations.   The efforts ran from Tuesday November 22nd to the morning of Thanksgiving.  During that time period, nearly 900 vehicles were stopped, and 316 citations were issues.   14 drivers were charged with OVI, and 13 stops led to drug arrests.   Troopers want to remind motorist to buckle up and slow down or move over for stopped traffic.

The campaign brought increased law enforcement patrol to prepare for the holiday weekend. Operation Dry Water is a national boating under the influence campaign that strives to make sure that boaters take the necessary precautions when being out on the water. Over the holiday weekend, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources officers issued 37 citations and nearly 450 safety warnings.

15 officers were recognized, but because of the pandemic Lima Police officer Justin Wireman represented them all at the ceremony.  He says he works with a lot of awesome officers at LPD and around the area that help watch the streets while he is conducted an investigation into operating a vehicle while intoxicated citation. Wireman made 27 OVI arrested in 2020 and is honored by this award.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol along with Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia State Police released numbers on traffic citations given throughout another weeklong 6-State Trooper Project. For this enforcement week, they focused on failing to wear a safety belt. There were 9,873 citations across the six states, with 4,500 in Ohio. The enforcement initiative took place last week, ending after Memorial Day. Lieutenant Tim Grigsby with the OSHP Lima Post says while Ohio does account for nearly half of the violations, a more pressing number lies elsewhere.

Police departments across the region are gearing up, preparing for the Fourth of July celebrations, which typically include fireworks and other small explosive devices that are illegal in the State of Ohio.