JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. – The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office is being recognized for its efforts toward prevention and enforcement of driving under the influence (DUII) laws. The Oregon DUII Multi-Disciplinary Training Task Force will present an award for the “2017 DUII Enforcement Agency of the Year” to JCSO on May 3 , 2018, during a ceremony at their annual conference in Bend.
Sheriff Nathan Sickler is proud to receive the award: “It is great to be recognized for the hard work our employees are doing to curb impaired driving. DUII enforcement is a priority for us because it directly affects the safety and wellbeing of our citizens.”
According to award criteria provided by the task force, agencies selected for recognition have employed an effective DUII enforcement program through focused and pro-active “education, prevention, deterrence, or community involvement.”
In 2017, Jackson County deputies made 320 arrests for DUII. The total number of arrests represents an increase from previous years – 250 in 2016 and 166 in 2015. Two deputies on JCSO’s four-person traffic team are dedicated specifically to enforcement of laws related to aggressive, distracted, and impaired driving.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office regularly uses traditional and social media to encourage DUII prevention. JCSO’s public outreach includes frequent messaging aimed at DUII awareness and prevention, especially in rural areas – places where crashes too often prove fatal. With the change in law regarding recreational marijuana in Oregon, JCSO has also taken an active approach in educating the public regarding the dangers of driving under the influence of marijuana.
Sheriff Sickler also recognizes the important role citizens play in DUII prevention and detection. Citizens are encouraged to intervene if they know somebody who is planning to drive while impaired. They are also asked to call 911 immediately if they suspect an impaired driver on the road.
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