Brookfield Police Will Step Up Patrols for St. Patrick's Day

Aiming to cut down on drunk driving and other hazards associated with the St. Patrick's Day holiday, city police will increase patrols Saturday, joining town police efforts already underway.

"The department encourages everyone to have a good time and enjoy the holiday but to do so safely for their own sake and others," City Police Capt. Philip Horter said in a press release. "Between public transportation, designated drivers and taxi cabs as needed, there is absolutely no reason anyone should be operating a motor vehicle while under the influence."

In addition to the regular full staff for second and third shift Saturday, the city will have an extra four officers and a supervisor enforcing traffic rules, financed by a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation Bureau of Transportation Safety. 

In the past, these extra assignments have typically resulted in about 35 speed violations, or 30 seat belt violations, or two to three OWI violations, according to Horter.

The Town of Brookfield started increasing its patrols March 5, and will continue the surge until March 21 as part of a $15,000 grant from the Bureau of Transportation Safety.

"We are serious about traffic safety enforcement because far too many needless deaths and serious injuries are due to drunken driving and not wearing safety belts," Town Police Chief Christopher Perket said in a release. "Our goal is to reduce preventable traffic deaths to zero in Wisconsin because even one preventable traffic fatality is one too many."