
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, August 12, 1994                   TAG: 9408120069
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: New River Valley bureau
DATELINE: PEARISBURG                                 LENGTH: Short

DUI ENFORCEMENT IS GRANT'S PURPOSE

The Pearisburg Police Department has received a $5,000 federal grant for enforcement of drunken-driving laws.

Chief Bill Whitsett said the money will be used to train and pay officers who work on selective enforcement details that target intoxicated drivers.

The town received the block grant on Wednesday and will spend it through March.

"We're real happy. It helps us out," Whitsett said. "We've been fairly consistent with DUI [arrests]. We've been hovering right around 40 to 50 a year."

Whitsett hopes to see the arrest numbers increase with the extra enforcement.

Town police probably will set up sobriety checkpoints as part of the grant, he said, concentrating on Labor Day weekend and the winter holiday season.

by CNB