Funding for extra patrols are funded through a grant from the Connecticut DOT.

Photo credit: Ronni Newton

By Ronni Newton

The West Hartford Police Department issued a news release Tuesday alerting the public that they will be aggressively enforcing drunk driving laws to keep the town’s streets safe throughout the holiday season.

Extra officers will be deployed for the enforcement effort, and the cost for the additional manpower will be supported by a $118,000 grant the department has received from the Connecticut Department of Transportation Highway Safety Office. The grant will fund the dedicated DWI enforcement effort through September 2015, according to the news release.

“It is our goal that no person is injured or any property damaged by a drunk driver. We are encouraging everyone to drive carefully and have a safe and happy holiday season,” West Hartford Police Captain Jeff Rose, who heads the department’s traffic division, said in the release.

“It only takes a second for a drunk driver to cause a crash that results in serious injury or death. The results of a drunk driver’s action will last a lifetime. Please do not drink and drive. Not during the holidays … not ever,” Rose said.