Operation Pull-Over ups patrols checks

Area police departments are increasing enforcement of the "Click It or Ticket" campaign as well as assigning more drunk driving and speeding patrols in preparation for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend.\nIUPD Sgt. Don Schmuhl said more daily seat belt, speed and radar patrols are being assigned and more drunk driving patrols are being stationed on the weekends. The daily patrols start around 7 a.m. and last until 3 p.m. while the weekend patrols will be from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. \n"The blitz period for seat belt enforcement is a state-wide campaign and not just restricted to Bloomington," Bloomington Police Department Capt. Joe Qualters said.\nThe increased patrols are being funded through Operation Pull-Over, a state government campaign to increase the enforcement of drunk driving, seat belt, child restraint and speeding laws.\nOperation Pull-Over funds come from the Governor's Council and is given to police departments who participate in the program. The amount of funding depends on the number of accidents that occur within the jurisdiction of each department.\nOperation Pull-Over grants funds overtime pay that police officers can earn by signing up for extra patrols. This increase of patrols is called a "blitz" and usually occurs before, during and after holiday weekends. \nSchmuhl said the current blitz started last weekend and will run through the week after Memorial Day.\nThe fine for not buckling up is $25 per adult who is not wearing a seat belt in the front seat. According to the Child Restraint Law, children between 4 and 12 years of age must be wearing a seat belt in the front and back seat or be in a child safety seat. All children under 4 must be in a child safety seat.\n"We find more people are buckled up now because of enforcement," IU Police Department Lt. Jerry Minger said. \nHe also said people think about it more because their children are being taught to buckle up in schools and tend to remind their parents.\nIUPD Officer Joe Wise said he thinks people are not neglecting to wear their seat belts any more on holidays than they do during the week. \n"It's just that there are more patrols out so we are finding them," he said.\nJunior Elsie Ekabten said the blitz has not been a problem for her. \n"So many things go on during the holidays (that) to keep things good, they have to be out there," she said.\n-- Contact staff writer Karen Yancey at kaeyance@indiana.edu