RESULTS FROM THE EPCSO INDEPENDENCE DAY OPERATION PLAN

NEWS RELEASE

EL PASO COUNTY TEXAS-The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office implemented a July 4, 2012, Independence Day, Operation Plan which became in effect   Wednesday of that evening at 8:00 PM. The Operation Plan was county wide involving the Patrol Section of the Sheriff’s Office. The focus of the plan was to increase area patrol to ensure high visibility of patrol units in the area and the enforcement of El Paso County Commissioner’s Court order banning the sale, possession and use of all fireworks in the unincorporated areas of El Paso County. The following are combined statistical data from each Sheriff’s Office station (MONTANA, VINTON, AND CLINT) related to fireworks calls: 

STATISTICS

Total calls for service: 252

Total FIREWORKS CITATIONS issued: 12

Total FIREWORKS WARNINGS issued: 7

Total FIREWORK CONFISCATIONS: 11

Total FELONY ARRESTS : 5

Total MISDEMEANOR ARRESTS : 4

In conclusion, the Sheriff’s Office received an influx of calls throughout the ban. The majority of calls involved concerned citizens/reporter(s) watching out for the community.  Although Sheriff’s Deputies handled a high percentage of firework related calls the public was serviced with Sheriff’s Deputies also responding to non-firework related concerns. The following stations took measures to insure public safety, maintain the peace and protect private and public properties from possible fire damage.

• MONTANA STATION- Sheriff’s Deputies limited the amount of traffic entering/exiting into the Red Sands area located at the 16000 block of Montana Ave. where a high volume of persons are known to frequent during this particular holiday. The majority of fireworks were confiscated at this location.
• CLINT STATION- No major incidents were reported, however, Sheriff’s Deputies monitored traffic that was seen on Gateway West Blvd. (North of IH-10) and Horizon Blvd. re-directing traffic as needed.
• VINTON STATION- Sheriff’s Deputies also received an increase of calls for service related to fireworks with no major incidents to report. Sheriff’s Deputies also monitored Azcarate Park.

With the combined efforts of Law Enforcement, the Sheriff’s Public Affairs Office, El Paso County Commissioner’s Court and Media Coverage, in keeping the public well informed, the 4th of July resulted in another safe holiday.