Cranbury Township’s continued crackdown on driving under the influence is apparently paying off. According to police, there were 66 DUI stops in 2010, as compared to 47 in 2009, 38 in 2008 and 33 in 2007.
Police Chief Rickey Varga attributes the spike in good police work and added patrol squads.
“Aggressive patrols. We have young officers who are self-motivated. We have a great structure here in our police department. We have a good chain of command, with great leadership with squad sergeants now,” Varga said.
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Patrolman Douglas Mayer, who has been on the force for nearly four years, made 26 DUI arrests in 2010.
Patrolman Mayer was recognized for his efforts by the organization Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) at a special state-wide recognition ceremony held this past June.
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While there were 66 DUI arrests in 2010, the force now only has 17 members, including the chief, as compared to five years ago when there were 19 members. Chief Varga said he believes the restructuring of patrols is a major factor.
“We restructured the police department and formed squads — with each squad having a sergeant. We encouraged them to work very hard. They are aggressively trying to enforce DUI,” he said.
“The numbers really surprised me. I think it surprises everybody. With a department our size when we really have 12 officers in patrol to have the numbers we have, I would put those numbers against any police department.”
“Our officers participate in the Over the Limit and Under Arrest program — a federal grant program that helps pay local departments that works to train officers to look for potential drunk drivers,” said Jay Taylor, Cranbury committee member who also serves as police liaison for the township.
Taylor went on to say that many of the officers have a vested interest in protecting the streets against those who drive under the influence.
“Many of the officers have young families, so they are attentive to the dangers drunk drivers pose on the road,” he said. “I am ecstatic that we have Patrolman Mayer and if we could get another dozen of him we would do it in a heartbeat. We are very proud of him.”
