Highway Patrol officers honored
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com

The hard work and lifesaving accomplishments of eight local California Highway Patrol officers and two sergeants, all of whom work the graveyard shift, were recognized recently at a media event in Moorpark.

California Highway Patrol Deputy Commissioner Joe Farrow and Deputy Chief Adam Cuevas came to the city to personally honor the men.

"They do so much to eradicate the problem of drunk driving. I have one of the most efficient and hardworking graveyard shifts in California," said Capt. Cliff Williams. Their efforts significantly reduced fatalities in 2007, he said.

To date, five of the 10 fatal collisions that occurred in the East County region covered by officers stationed in Moorpark were caused by impaired drivers. That is a significant reduction from the 16 and 15 accidents caused by drunk drivers that occurred in 2005 and 2006 respectively, Williams said.

Even so, the captain said, "any fatality caused by a drunk driver is a tragedy that's entirely avoidable."

On average, each local officer makes 10 drunk driver arrests per month.

"They truly make our roads a safer place to travel. Without the work of these great officers, I'm sure we would have more fatalities," he said.

More drunk driving incidents occur during the holiday season, when citizens who are normally lawabiding go to parties and drink more alcohol than usual. Sometimes they make the unwise choice to drive themselves home, putting other people at risk, Williams said.

While people travel to see their families during this time of the year, the officers spend their nights patrolling local roads to ensure they are safe, said Williams, suggesting that people think about the officers as they celebrate the holidays.

Most people who drink and drive are apprehended at night.

"They're not a pleasant group to deal with," said Williams, describing that drunk drivers often cry, vomit and argue with officers when they're arrested.