MAHONING COUNTY OVI Task Force

Several departments and individuals were recognized Tuesday during the Operating Vehicle Impaired Task Force awards ceremony for their efforts. The mission of the task force is to reduce alcohol and drug-related crashes through public awareness and enforcement. The task force encourages responsible drinking and the use of sober designated drivers. Funding for the task force comes from grants administered through the Goshen Police District:

Top cop awards: Tracy Polak, Poland Village Police Department; Robert Smith, Mahoning County Sheriff’s Department; Paul Ceresna, Smith Township Police Department; Frank Demain, Poland Township Police Department; Michael Dada and Stephen Dubos, Boardman Police Department; Cristobal Ruiz, Canfield Police Department; John Calko and Michael Golec, Goshen Police Department; Jack Reno, Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Certificate of excellence, Top Five OVI departments: Boardman, Canfield, Goshen, Jackson and Smith.

Top safety belt citations: Boardman.

Top OVI arrests from saturation patrols: Tie between Goshen and Canfield, 22 each.

In the latest cycle, which began October 2006, the task force has conducted 22 sobriety checkpoints and stopped 21,500 cars, with 36 OVI arrests. Saturation patrols made another 116 OVI arrests.

Source: Tracy Styka, task force coordinator