DUI Operations Center Goes Mobile

From left to right, Sheriff Bob White, Tracey Kaly - Baycare Behavioral Health,  Jennifer Bliska – Alliance for Substance Abuse Coalition Coordinator, and Sergeant Thomas Rowand, with the Mobile Operations Center

On Wednesday, February 11, 2009 the Pasco Sheriff's Office rolled out their newly refurbished DUI Mobile Operations Center (MOC). In coordination with the Pasco Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP), the PSO was given a grant of $16,000 to restore and enhance a trailer formerly used for Crime Prevention. This grant combined with an additional $14,000 from criminal forfeiture funds was used in the transformation to what now will be an effective force in the fight against drinking and driving.

The goal of the Mobile Operations Center is to reduce the amount of time it will take to get law enforcement personnel back in service after a DUI arrest. The MOC brings investigative tools closer to law enforcement personnel on the street, reducing the amount of time it takes to process an impaired driver after an arrest. Additional funds from the Pasco ASAP allows for a transport unit to be stationed with the MOC to take arrested persons to jail. This will greatly reduce the often lengthy "down time" for officers associated with making a DUI arrest. The MOC is part of a multi-faceted approach to DUI reduction in conjunction with the New Port Richey Police Department where vendor education and enforcement will also be taking place. Educational programs are also taking place through PHCC and St. Leo University. In 2008 alone, the Pasco Sheriff's Office recorded 680 DUI arrests. The goals of this program are to reduce the number of impaired drivers, and DUI related crashes, injuries and deaths.

Deputy Greg Bell prepares the new Mobile Operating Center for viewing.