Blitz patrols by OVI Task Force tonight for St. Patrick's holiday

Staff report

CANFIELD

The OVI Task Force will have a blitz patrol in Mahoning County today due to the St. Patrick’s Day holiday.

The task force set up a sobriety checkpoint Saturday, from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Mahoning Avenue at Howard Avenue, a few blocks away from Austintown Plaza, 6000 Mahoning Ave.

The numbers for that checkpoint were released Monday:

650 vehicles through checkpoint.

23 vehicles directed for further investigation.

One OVI arrest.

Two summonses for driving under suspension.

Five citations for adult restraints.

There also was one citation each for failure to yield, speed and an expired operator’s license. In addition, there was an accident involving one car that led to an additional OVI arrest and a citation for failure to control.

Officials from departments across Mahoning County along with the Ohio State Highway Patrol and Canfield Police Department said that locations are selected for checkpoints based on statistics, such as accidents and arrests.

There will be a blitz patrol tonight for St. Patrick’s Day.

That is when authorities target a certain corridor in Mahoning County with an increased police presence to deter impaired driving.