OVI Task Force arrests 16 during Warrant Sweep

7.2.07 - Officers from the Cuyahoga County OVI Task Force conducted an OVI Warrant Sweep on Sunday, July 1st.  This OVI Warrant Sweep was the first in a series of efforts aimed at increasing public awareness and decreasing the number of impaired drivers who fail to complete the terms of their arrest.  Warrants are issued for such violations as failure to appear in court, pay fines, or attend programs required under state law after an arrest.  The three-hour operation attempted to serve 65 warrants and resulted in 16 arrests.  Organizers consider this first-time effort to be a success.  More...

Continuing countywide efforts will include checkpoints and saturation patrols to crack down on intoxicated drivers during the holiday week.  “Nationally, in 2005, the Fourth of July holiday period was the deadliest holiday period of the year due in part to incidence of impaired driving,” said Commander Kwiatkowski.  “That’s why we are going to be out doing more sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols and heightened enforcement activities to show zero tolerance for anyone we catch driving impaired.  Our message is simple: If we catch you driving impaired, we will arrest you.  No exceptions.  No excuses.”

During the 4th of July holiday, checkpoints will be conducted in:

Berea
Middleburg Heights
Lyndhurst
Parma Heights
Cleveland
North Royalton
Olmsted Falls
Brook Park

Updated on: July 5, 2007