The Jefferson police department, in connection with the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau and its Special Traffic Enforcement Program (sTEP), conducted a safety check point in the 1600 block of N. Elm St (Highway 4) in Jefferson last Friday from 3 to 7 pm.
Drivers were directed to the inside lane until the northbound and southbound lanes were full. When the check lanes were full, other motorists were directed to proceed in the outside lanes until the checks were done and the inside lanes were empty again.
JPD captain Heath Enns explained that the location was selected because of the amount of traffic there and it had the most room for officers to work.
The JPD was assisted by the Iowa State Patrol, the police departments from Perry, Gowrie and Coon Rapids, and the sheriff’s offices from Greene and Boone counties. A total of 18 officers participated in the safety check point.
They checked 235 vehicles, issued 132 warnings and wrote 20 citations for violations. Additionally, four canine searches were conducted by the Boone County sheriff’s office K9 handler.
Officers did one field sobriety test but did not make an arrest.
Citations were issued as follows: driving without license, two; driving with a suspended or revoked license, two; registration violations, five; open container of alcohol, two; dark windows, one; and no proof of insurance, eight.
Warnings were issued as follows: seat belt violation, three; driving without license, one; registration violations, 19; other traffic violation, one; equipment violations, 52; no proof of insurance, 44; and move over violations, 11.
