WARREN Funds to aid DUI crackdown

The hope is that new programs will deter alcohol-related offenses.
WARREN -- State grants will help the city police department focus more attention on DUIs, other traffic violations, and bars and stores that serve and sell liquor.
The city will receive nearly $30,000 to implement a "Blitz Periods Project" to put more patrol officers on the streets during peak times -- holiday weekends including Thanksgiving, Christmas, Memorial Day and the Fourth of July.
The state is giving Warren almost $10,000 for a "Cops in Shops" program that will put police officers in bars and stores that sell alcohol, to curb sales to minors.
Capt. Tim Bowers told city council's finance committee this week it is hoped that efforts will deter traffic offenses, underage sales and underage consumption.
Councilman Brendan Keating, D-5th, sponsored legislation that his colleagues passed Wednesday to accept the grants for the programs.
Putting more officers on the streets during peak times will enable them to crack down on speeders and those who drink and drive.
Police say a goal of the efforts is to reduce the number of traffic accidents and DUIs in the city by at least 5 percent.
They said they want to see at least a 10 percent reduction in alcohol-related traffic accidents for those who are underage.