August 30, 2007
Press Release

BCSO to Participate in Holiday Safety Blitz

Bedford County Sheriff Mike Brown announced today that his Department will participate in the Labor Day Weekend’s “enforcement blitz” to promote safety on the area highways.

The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office will be one of nine local agencies--along with the Virginia State Police--who will be focusing on highways, U.S. 29, U.S. 60, and U.S. 460, as part of a national initiative called the “Check Point Strike Force” program.

Starting this Friday, and running through Labor Day--Monday--Bedford County, and other agency officers, will establish and man check points at which vehicles will be stopped to ensure that there are no seat belt, child restraint, or alcohol violations. Saturation patrols will also be utilized.

On an earlier summer holiday weekend, 14 persons died throughout Virginia, and three died in a single Bedford County wreck. That same weekend, over 1100 safety belt and 300 child restraint violation citations were issued.

Lt. Darryl Saunders, Bedford County Sheriff’s Office, Patrol Division Lieutenant says he hopes that the citizens realize that these efforts are intended to save their lives, the lives of their children, and the lives of other persons on the highways.

Thanks to Carrie J. Sidener, News-Advance for preparation of the story from which this information was derived.