County police receive funds for task force

There will be a new task force in Lorain County to combat the scourge of drunk driving, according to a press release.

Lorain County law enforcement agencies found out Sept. 2 that they will receive $224,936.17 from the Ohio Department of Public Safety to establish the new OVI Task Force in 2016-17, the release said.

Lorain County was chosen, along with 10 others in the state, due to the number of fatal crashes between 2013 and 2015, according to the release. The county recorded 26 fatal crashes resulting in 32 deaths over that period, the release said.

During those years, there have been 944 OVI related crashes in Lorain County, 412 of those caused an injury and 506 damaged property, the release said.

The Task Force will be geared toward conducting sobriety checkpoints, impaired driving saturation patrols, increasing public awareness and educating the public on the danger of drinking and driving.

The agencies that will participate in the Task Force are Amherst, Avon, Avon Lake, Elyria, LaGrange, Lorain, Lorain County Sheriff’s Office, North Ridgeville, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Sheffield Village and Wellington, the release said.

According to the release, the Lorain County Law Enforcement Community understands it needs the help of the public to stop drunk driving. They ask that you do not let your loved ones or friends drink and drive, as the consequences can be fatal.