'Booze and Belts' initiative; MPD out in full force to keep drunk drivers off streets

MPD hosts ‘Booze and Belts’ initiative; out in full force to keep drunk drivers off streets

MPD hosts 'Booze and Belts' initiative; out in full force to keep drunk drivers off streets

MILWAUKEE -- Stopping drunk drivers before they hurt themselves or others. The Milwaukee Police Department hosted a roll call Saturday evening, December 12th with officers from six departments.

Wauwatosa Police Officer Kurt Svatek

The breakdown is very simple: Thanksgiving to the end of the year can be dangerous on Milwaukee roads. That's where the OWI Task Force comes in.

Any time you see red and blue flashing lights, a drunk driver could be facing some some harsh facts. If Wauwatosa Police Officer Kurt Svatek gets to you first, you're going to jail.

The likely alternative is much worse.

The Wauwatosa police officer is patrolling in part with the Southeast Wisconsin OWI Task Force.

"Typically going into the holiday season we see an increase in the number of fatal and severe injury accidents," said Gregg Sousek, Milwaukee Police Department.

Squad cars came rolling in to the park-and-ride on S. 76th Street -- badges from Milwaukee, Wauwatosa, Waukesha and other departments filed in for the "Booze and Belts" initiative.

Booze and Belts Initiative

"The state of Wisconsin is already at 528 fatalities on the roads so far this year," said Svatek.

Sergeant Greg Sousek has their ears, as he breaks down a weekend of added enforcement.

OWI Task Force

"Historically, 33% of all these crashes are attributed in some way to alcohol. So I wished them the best of luck out there, to be careful and to go out there and try to nab some of these impaired drivers," said Sousek.

The Southeast Wisconsin OWI Task Force is an extensive network of more than 30 participating agencies.

Last year alone, the task force made 300 impaired driving arrests.