Austin Police Department does participate in the Safe and Sober Program.  The Austin Police Department and the Mower County Sheriff’s Office received a grant to be used for Safe and Sober traffic enforcement throughout the year in 2010.  The grant was used to cover overtime incurred by the officers and deputies during specific enforcement hours and for dispatch services.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety works hand in hand with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to launch a campaign of information to the public of upcoming enforcement waves and enhanced traffic enforcement.  This was accomplished through Public Service Announcements with local and state media.  For our part in South East Minnesota, the Austin Police Department made a Public Service Announcement with the help of KAAL TV for the Click-it or Ticket campaign.

The Austin Police Department and the Mower County Sheriff’s Office worked 403 hours on the Safe and Sober Program in 2010.  There were made 750 vehicle stops and 361 citations written alongwith, 9 DWI’s during those specified waves and for the whole year there were 256 DWI arrests.  There were also numerous drug and vehicle seizures and outstanding warrants.  During the waves worked by officers, 23 individuals were arrested.  In the Austin and Mower County area there was a seat belt compliance of 83 percent in October and then in May 92 percent.