SHEBOYGAN COUNTY, WI (WHBL) - Super Bowl Sunday will be a busier time for local police and sheriff’s departments as the first High Visibility Education and Enforcement Task Force of 2016 will be in place this Sunday.
That means law enforcement in Sheboygan and Manitowoc counties will work together to have extra officers on the roads watching and stopping drivers who may be breaking the law and may be under the influence.
Sheboygan Police Captain Jim Veeser tells WHBL News in addition to the extra patrols, they are working with taverns to get information out about not getting behind the wheel drunk. "Law enforcement connects with local business owners to provide educational materials that can be used within their establishments during times of operation, and enlisting their assistance to encourage responsible drinking and utilization of a designated driver if needed, advising the public that HVEE efforts are underway through social media, and visibly seeing officers at local establishments hopefully will result in avoiding the dangers and consequences of impaired driving."
Sheboygan Police Sergeant Joel Kuszynski also tells WHBL News the education aspect makes this task force different than a typical OWI taskforce. "With a traditional OWI taskforce we go out, we stop cars, and we try to make drunk driving arrests. In this particular High Visibility Education and Enforcement campaign what we’re doing is we’re working with the taverns to pass out DOT coasters, hanging up posters, just to make people aware that this is going on so hopefully they plan ahead and get a ride before they drive home from bars.”
This HVEE Task Force was used in November and December, and both Veeser and Kuszynski said the taverns and public have responded positively to it. There are plans to continue the task force at various times throughout 2016.