Boone County Sheriff's Department enforces HEAT project

As a joint effort, the project seeks to encourage traffic safety.

By Caitlin Jones

Published Oct. 23, 2009

Boone County Sheriff's Department stated in a news release it would be getting involved in the High Enforcement Action Team traffic safety project.

Drivers will see more law enforcement officers on Interstate 70 starting Oct. 23, the release stated. The sheriff's department will be joining with law enforcement agencies across Missouri to crack down on unsafe, unbuckled, speeding and impaired drivers.

The enforcement effort of HEAT will span I-70 to remind drivers to be safe, the news release stated.

"This is a joint effort that has been going on for quite a while, so there's no one reason we are a part of the HEAT force," Sheriff's Department Capt. Greg Vandegriffe said. "We have a traffic unit and they work alongside the Columbia Police Department."

The sheriff's department has aims similar to all law enforcement agencies.

"Like any other law enforcement agency it is to have drivers reduce speed, wear their seatbelt and just have safer driving conditions," Vandegriffe said of the department's goals. "We want to make it safer for everyone on the road."

According to the news release, the sheriff's department wishes to remind drivers to slow down, drive safely, buckle up and not drive impaired by any means.

The sheriff's department is not aware of any more set dates, but will continue doing what they always do, Vandegriffe said.

CPD released a formal statement of its participation in the program.

CPD officers are joining with law enforcement agencies across Missouri to crack down on unsafe drivers, a CPD news release stated.

"Our officers will be out to remind drivers to slow down and drive safely," CPD spokeswoman Jessie Haden said. "We will look for impaired drivers, speeding violations and any other unsafe driving behaviors."

The results of the special traffic detail would be released early next week, the CPD news release stated.