Latest news with #DWITaskForce
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
El Paso sheriff launches 'Safe Streets Operation' for 4th of July holiday weekend
The El Paso County Sheriff's Office with other local police agencies are launching "Safe Streets Operation" targeting drunken drivers, speeders, traffic violations and enhancing patrols at Red Sands for the Fourth of July holiday weekend. The coordinated holiday operation is part of increased anti-drunken driving efforts since Sheriff Oscar Ugarte and El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson took office in January, including the creation of a sheriff's county DWI Task Force. More: 'Enough is enough': El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson launches DWI crackdown "We're not here to ruin anyone's holiday — we want you to enjoy the Fourth of July weekend with your family and friends," Ugarte said in a statement. "But if you drink and drive over the legal limit, know this: you will be stopped, and you will go to jail. My priority is to protect lives and keep our roads safe." The holiday weekend operation — officially promoted as "Sheriff Ugarte's Safe Streets Operation" — includes the El Paso, Socorro, Horizon City, Anthony (Texas) and Clint police departments, county constables, Texas state troopers and the San Elizario Marshal's Office. As part of the operation, sheriff's deputies will "maintain a high-visibility presence" to help prevent off-roading crashes and other trouble at the popular Red Sands desert off Montana Avenue, east of the El Paso city limits. The Montana Vista area east of the El Paso limits annually draws hundreds of revelers for Independence Day because fireworks are banned in El Paso but legal outside city limits. El Paso County Commissioners Court this year voted to prohibit the sale and use of fireworks classified as 'skyrockets with sticks" and "missiles with fins" in unincorporated areas of the county to help prevent wildfires, the Sheriff's Office said in a news statement. Other types of fireworks can still be sold. The city of El Paso reminds residents that it is illegal to use, sell and possess fireworks within the city limits, stated a city news release issued on June 26. Violations can result in a Class C Misdemeanor citation, with fines typically about $191 and up to $500 depending on a judge's decision, the city stated. Illegal fireworks can also be investigated as criminal mischief or arson, if there are damages. Law enforcement will keep watch for illegal fireworks over the Fourth of July weekend. Fireworks can pose a fire danger as well as causing distress to neighbors and pets, and can be a trauma reminder for veterans coping with PTSD. "Fireworks can cause devastating harm — from severe burns and loss of fingers to structure fires that threaten entire neighborhoods," El Paso Fire Chief Jonathan Killings said in a statement. "We've seen how quickly a single spark can lead to tragedy. Please don't risk your safety, your property, or your neighbors' lives. Leave fireworks to the professionals." Daniel Borunda may be reached at dborunda@ and @BorundaDaniel on X. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso Fourth of July: Sheriff launches 'Safe Streets Operation'
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
'We're just getting started.' El Paso County sheriff rolls out new DWI Task Force
The El Paso County Sheriff's Office's new DWI Task Force will continue operations at various times of the year after rolling out and netting 36 arrests on Easter weekend, Sheriff Oscar Ugarte said. While campaigning for sheriff last year, drunken driving was one of the most common concerns mentioned by voters, said Ugarte, who took office on Jan. 1. The sheriff's new task force leverages the assistance of other law enforcement agencies to tackle the problem of driving while intoxicated. Crime: El Paso police arrest 2 drivers suspected in wheelchair, scooter hit-and-run collisions "This task force reflects what we can achieve when local law enforcement agencies unite behind a common goal —keeping our residents safe," Ugarte said in a statement. "The community asked us to act on DWIs, and we listened," Ugarte said. "These arrests send a clear message: if you drive impaired in El Paso County, you will be held accountable. We're just getting started." The new DWI Task Force is comprised of sheriff's deputies, county constables and Horizon City police officers working overtime. Its first operation took place on Friday and Saturday, April 18-19. The task force arrested 25 men and 11 women, ranging in age from 17 to 52 years old, stated Sheriff's Office information. Thirty drivers face DWI charges, with the remainder arrested on charges including drug possession, unlawful carrying of a weapon, and the arrest of one fugitive from Arizona. More: 'Outrageous': Judge denies bond reduction for Fort Bliss soldier charged in fatal crash Ugarte added that he plans on asking county commissioners for funding for a full-time, permanent county DWI Task Force. The El Paso Police Department has its own permanent DWI Task Force funded in part by state grants. The DWI Task Force is part of the new sheriff's focus on community concerns, including driver's license and auto insurance street checkpoints and cracking down on illegal dumping in the desert. Daniel Borunda may be reached at dborunda@ and @BorundaDaniel on X. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso County sheriff launches new DWI Task Force
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
'Enough is enough': El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson launches DWI crackdown
Drunken driving in El Paso was described as a "crisis" requiring tougher enforcement, a united community response and changes to societal attitudes, local political leaders, police and victims' families said. A new "Enough is Enough" DWI clampdown — including impounding vehicles of unlicensed and uninsured drivers — was announced on Monday, May 19, in time for Memorial Day weekend, graduation season and the start of summer. El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson was joined by families who lost loved ones in drunken-driving related crashes and a dozen local law enforcement and political leaders at a news conference in the El Paso convention center rotunda. 'El Paso, enough is enough," Johnson said. "Today we are drawing a line in the sand when it comes to drinking and driving in our community. The status quo is unacceptable and we will not tolerate a culture that treats drinking and driving as anything less than a deadly threat to our great citizens of El Paso and this region." Johnson, El Paso District Attorney James Montoya and El Paso County Sheriff Oscar Ugarte all took office in January after winning their respective elections in November. All three said that driving-while-intoxicated was a concern they repeatedly heard from residents while on the campaign trail. The El Paso District Attorney's Office files close to 2,500 misdemeanor DWI cases annually and about 250 to 300 repeat felony DWI cases each year, Montoya said. A first time offender usually gets a punishment of 12-18 months probation. The sheriff's newly created El Paso County DWI Task Force made 48 arrests, including 37 DWI arrests, over two days this past weekend, Ugarte said. The task force included sheriff's deputies, county constables, Texas state troopers and police from El Paso, Socorro, Horizon City, San Elizario, Clint and Anthony, Texas. U.S. Army Brig Gen. Rory A. Crooks, deputy commanding general of operations at Fort Bliss, El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego, Texas Department of Public Safety and other officials were also present at the mayor's news conference. A parent's pain of losing a child to a drunk driver is unimaginable and El Paso is "facing a crisis" with drunken driving, Lupe Hernandez Lucero said while wearing a black memorial T-shirt with a photo of her son, Steven Anthony Hernandez. Steven Anthony Hernandez, 28, an aspiring musician who went by the name "Stevie Suave," was in the passenger seat of a car T-boned by a suspected repeat DWI driver who allegedly ran a stop light in the far East Side on May 21, 2023. The defendant, Valeria Mena, faces murder and intoxication manslaughter charges in a case scheduled to go to trial in November. Lucero is with the Sober Streets Movement, an El Paso anti-DWI advocacy group formed by victims' families "born from the heartbreak but fueled by purpose," she said. Sober Streets Movement is calling for changes to Texas laws for DWI-related crimes, including: Mandatory jail time for repeat DWI offenders. Public transparency about sentencing and court accountability. DWI checkpoints, which are currently banned in Texas. Photos of other victims were also displayed at the news conference, including Parkland High School student Anahi Karla Leanos, who was killed a day before her 18th birthday when a suspected intoxicated driver crashed into her car stopped on the César Chávez Border Highway on Jan. 5, 2024. The defendant, Ruger Garrett Clark, is scheduled to go to trial in December on charges of intoxication manslaughter and a collision involving a death. 'We are families demanding justice. We are a city calling for accountability," Lucero said. "Driving under the influence is not an accident, it's a choice. And when our justice system gives drunk drivers an easy way out, it's not just failing victims. It's endangering everyone." El Paso Police Chief Peter Pacillas said that along with bolstered DWI enforcement there will be "zero tolerance on traffic violations" and the impounding of vehicles of those caught without a driver's license and auto insurance. "If you do not have a driver's license or insurance, expect your vehicle to be impounded," Pacillas warned. In 2024, El Paso police made more than 1,300 arrests for DWI and 181 arrests of drivers with multiple DWIs. "We are not going to arrest our way out of this," Pacillas said, adding that it must be a community effort to curb drunk driving. El Paso police have had a permanent DWI Task Force for years. The societal acceptance by some that drunk-driving is just something that accidentally happens needs to end, Montoya, the district attorney, said. El Paso juries have a reputation for being lenient in drunken-driving cases. Drinking alcohol, having a good time and celebrating is not a crime, but people make the choice to drink, make the choice to drive and there are consequences that can end with someone injured or killed, Montoya said. "Each and every person knows an ostensibly good person, a working person who commits this crime," Montoya said. "They might be your friends. They might be your family members. And we have a duty to ostracize them and condemn them and tell them, 'I know what you do and it's wrong.' That's the only way we will be able to change the societal acceptance that this just happens." Socorro Mayor Rudy Cruz Jr. echoed Montoya's sentiments, saying that there needs to be a cultural change with an emphasis on drinking responsibly. 'We celebrate just about anything," Cruz said. "We celebrate the births, the quinceañeras, the graduations. We celebrate just to celebrate. We celebrate when people pass and I think the culture needs to change now and we need to celebrate responsibly." Daniel Borunda may be reached at dborunda@ and @BorundaDaniel on X. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: 'Enough is enough': El Paso mayor launches DWI crackdown
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
Mayor, others fight back against DWI heading into holiday weekend
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Ahead of the Memorial Day holiday weekend, El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson joined with other local elected officials, law enforcement and community advocates on Monday, May 19 to bring attention to the rising toll of drunk driving in the El Paso region. The El Paso County Sheriff's Office has launched a multi-agency DWI Task Force to help fight back against the scourge of drunk driving. The Sheriff's Office said it made 48 arrests in one recent two-day period. 48 arrests made by DWI Task Force over 2 days in El Paso County The coordinated effort, through the task force, brought together law enforcement from every municipality in El Paso County, including the El Paso Police Department, along with Texas State troopers and constables, the Sheriff's Office said. In 2024, the City of El Paso recorded 1,337 DWI offenses, averaging more than 25 per week, the Mayor's Office said. 'Drunk driving is not a city problem or a county problem – it's a community emergency that demands a united front,' Johnson said. 'The data is alarming, and the human cost is unacceptable. I'm proud to stand with leaders across the Borderplex to say: Enough is enough. We're calling not only on those who drink and drive, but also on those who see it happening to step in, speak up, and stop it. You could save a life.' Johnson was joined by County Judge Ricardo Samaniego, El Paso Chief of Police Peter Pacillas, El Paso County Sheriff Oscar Ugarte, District Attorney James Montoya, City of Socorro Mayor Rudy Cruz, Jr., City of Socorro Chief of Police Robert Rojas and Brig. Gen. Rory Crooks, deputy commanding general of operations for the 1st Armored Division at Fort Bliss. The group was also joined by Lupe Hernandez Lucero, founder of SoberStreets Movement, who lost her child in a DWI crash. 'It is almost impossible to express the anguish a parent feels when they lose a child,' Hernandez Lucero said. 'But when that child is taken by an incident that is completely preventable, you have no choice but to speak out and advocate so that no other parents undergo the same loss. My hope is that people will become more responsible for themselves, their friends, and their family members — whoever they are drinking with — and take a stand against driving while intoxicated. It is never OK and there is never a reason.' 'Driving while intoxicated is a threat to the safety of our community, and while enforcement remains a critical tool, we recognize that we cannot arrest our way out of this problem,' said Pacillas, El Paso Police chief. 'Real change will come through prevention, education, and strong community partnerships. Our commitment is to stop impaired driving before it starts — because every life lost to a preventable tragedy is one too many.' 'I'm incredibly proud of our sheriff for collaborating with other law enforcement agencies to reduce the number of individuals driving under the influence. As a mental health professional, I've witnessed firsthand the devastating impact a DWI-related death can have on a family. At the same time, the long-term consequences of a DWI conviction — such as challenges in obtaining scholarships or employment — are equally profound,' said Samiengo, the county judge. 'Every DWI is a choice that puts lives at risk. I'm grateful to our law enforcement agencies for partnering with us as we spearhead DWI enforcement efforts across El Paso County,' said Ugarte, who launched the DWI Task Force. 'We're sending a clear message: if you drive drunk, you will be arrested.' 'It's not a crime to partake in adult beverages. It's what someone chooses to do after they become intoxicated,' said Montoya, the district attorney. 'Drinking and driving is a choice, and it can lead to fatal consequences. My office will continue to work with all our law enforcement partners to hold those who choose to drive drunk accountable.' The El Paso Police Department's and El Paso County Sheriff's DWI Task Forces will continue to operate on high alert throughout the holiday weekend and will take steps to fully prosecute anyone found to be driving while intoxicated, the Mayor's Office said in its news release. The City of El Paso and the El Paso Police Department urge all residents to take an active role in preventing drunk driving. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
48 arrests made by DWI Task Force over 2 days in El Paso County
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The El Paso County Sheriff's Office, in partnership with multiple regional law-enforcement agencies, arrested nearly 50 people over two days in a countywide DWI Task Force operation. According to the news release by the Sheriff's Office, 48 arrests were made in a two-day span. 'We are incredibly grateful to every agency that participated in this joint effort and to our County and City leaders for recognizing the seriousness of DWIs in our region,' El Paso County Sheriff Oscar Ugarte said. 'We're proud to lead this initiative and even prouder to see our entire law enforcement community unite around the common goal of protecting lives. I also want to thank the men and women in law enforcement who go out every day to serve and protect, and our dedicated detention officers who play a vital role in supporting these operations.' Ride-along with El Paso County Sheriff's DWI Task Force sheds light on problem Here is the offense breakdown for the DWI Task Force operation: Driving while intoxicated (DWI) – 20 DWI BAC ≥ 0.15 – 6 DWI BAC ≥ 0.15 and resisting arrest – 1 DWI with open alcohol container – 2 DWI and possession of marijuana – 1 DWI and possession of controlled substance PG 1 – 1 DWI 3rd or more – 2 DWI 2nd offense – 2 DWI and unlawful carry of a weapon – 1 DUI minor – 1 Public intoxication – 3 Assault causing bodily injury – 1 Evading arrest with motor vehicle – 1 Evading arrest and assault – 1 Possession of controlled substance – 2 Parole violation – 1 Criminal mischief – 1 Traffic warrants – 1 Here is a list of other arrestees in the DWI Task Force operation. There were no photos provided. Alubia Janeth Gloria, 30 Driving while intoxicated and possession of marijuana. No bond. Laura Alejandra Gloria Heredia, 31 Public intoxication. No bond. Christian Lara, 25 Driving while intoxicated. $1,000 bond. Hector Grajeda, 38 Possession of a controlled substance. No bond. Daniela Ramirez Ferrer, 30 Driving while intoxicated. Pending bond. Raymundo Rodriguez, 27 DWI open alcohol container and possession of a controlled substance. Pending bond. Huzziel Viramontes, 18 Criminal mischief. Pending bond. Julian Chavez, 27 DWI open alcohol container and possession of a controlled substance. Pending bond. Arthur Obel Okello, 31 Driving while intoxicated. No bond. Brianna Valenzuela, 19 DUI minor. Pending bond. Balvina Aguayo, 24 Driving while intoxicated. Pending bond. The following agencies were a part of the DWI Task Force: El Paso County Sheriff's Office El Paso Police Department Socorro Police Department Clint Police Department San Elizario Police Department Anthony Police Department El Paso Constable Precinct 1 El Paso Constable Precinct 2 El Paso Constable Precinct 3 El Paso Constable Precinct 4 El Paso Constable Precinct 6 Texas Department of Public Safety Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
