Overland, St. John join DWI crackdown during long Cinco de Mayo weekend

St. Louis, MO

With a long Cinco de Mayo weekend as a backdrop, the Overland Police Department will be joining other area law enforcment agencies in cracking down on drunk driving.

The Mexican holiday — an observance of a particular battle against the French during the Mexican Revolution — has become one of this country’s leading occasions to party. This year, the festivities began today and will continue through Monday.

The crackdown on drunk drivers starts today, also, and continues through Monday.Other North County cities taking part in the stepped-up enforcement effort are Berkeley and St. John.

Capt. Russ Morris of St. John said Cinco de Mayo has been added to the list of other non-major holidays that have spawned a concern about impaired drivers.

“Thirty years ago, when I started as a policeman, there was only a few big holidays — the usual, New Year’s Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day. Now there’s also Mardi Gras, Cinco de Mayo and St. Patrick’s Day.”

Overland Police Cpl. Scott Barthelmass said the popularity of the Mexican historical event has spread across cultures, becoming a leading cause of celebration among non-Hispanics — and resulting in an increase of impaired drivers.

“The more we can do to deter and arrest these drivers, the better we can protect the public and make our roads safer,” he said.

A spokesman for the St. Louis County Police Department said that agency does not plan on increased enforcement efforts during Cinco de Mayo.

Police officials said that in 2006, 273 people died in more than 7,000 alcohol-related traffic crashes, amounting to a death or injury every 1.6 hours.

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