Latest news with #SafeStreetsOperation
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
El Paso sheriff launches 'Safe Streets Operation' for 4th of July holiday weekend
The El Paso County Sheriff's Office with other local police agencies are launching "Safe Streets Operation" targeting drunken drivers, speeders, traffic violations and enhancing patrols at Red Sands for the Fourth of July holiday weekend. The coordinated holiday operation is part of increased anti-drunken driving efforts since Sheriff Oscar Ugarte and El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson took office in January, including the creation of a sheriff's county DWI Task Force. More: 'Enough is enough': El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson launches DWI crackdown "We're not here to ruin anyone's holiday — we want you to enjoy the Fourth of July weekend with your family and friends," Ugarte said in a statement. "But if you drink and drive over the legal limit, know this: you will be stopped, and you will go to jail. My priority is to protect lives and keep our roads safe." The holiday weekend operation — officially promoted as "Sheriff Ugarte's Safe Streets Operation" — includes the El Paso, Socorro, Horizon City, Anthony (Texas) and Clint police departments, county constables, Texas state troopers and the San Elizario Marshal's Office. As part of the operation, sheriff's deputies will "maintain a high-visibility presence" to help prevent off-roading crashes and other trouble at the popular Red Sands desert off Montana Avenue, east of the El Paso city limits. The Montana Vista area east of the El Paso limits annually draws hundreds of revelers for Independence Day because fireworks are banned in El Paso but legal outside city limits. El Paso County Commissioners Court this year voted to prohibit the sale and use of fireworks classified as 'skyrockets with sticks" and "missiles with fins" in unincorporated areas of the county to help prevent wildfires, the Sheriff's Office said in a news statement. Other types of fireworks can still be sold. The city of El Paso reminds residents that it is illegal to use, sell and possess fireworks within the city limits, stated a city news release issued on June 26. Violations can result in a Class C Misdemeanor citation, with fines typically about $191 and up to $500 depending on a judge's decision, the city stated. Illegal fireworks can also be investigated as criminal mischief or arson, if there are damages. Law enforcement will keep watch for illegal fireworks over the Fourth of July weekend. Fireworks can pose a fire danger as well as causing distress to neighbors and pets, and can be a trauma reminder for veterans coping with PTSD. "Fireworks can cause devastating harm — from severe burns and loss of fingers to structure fires that threaten entire neighborhoods," El Paso Fire Chief Jonathan Killings said in a statement. "We've seen how quickly a single spark can lead to tragedy. Please don't risk your safety, your property, or your neighbors' lives. Leave fireworks to the professionals." Daniel Borunda may be reached at dborunda@ and @BorundaDaniel on X. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso Fourth of July: Sheriff launches 'Safe Streets Operation'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Meth bust, over 50 arrests, 300 traffic stops in El Paso County Fourth of July operation
El Paso County's "Safe Streets Operation" netted more than 50 arrests, issued 128 citations and saw no traffic fatalities over the Fourth of July 2025 holiday weekend, the Sheriff's Office said. Sheriff Oscar Ugarte praised the multi-agency operation led by the Sheriff's Office as a safe and successful effort that concluded with no deaths, no major crashes and no shootings in the county. More news: El Paso Fire Department Water Rescue Team continues to help in Texas floods The "Safe Streets Operation" included sheriff's deputies, county constables, state troopers and police from El Paso, Socorro, Horizon City, Clint, Anthony (Texas) and the San Elizario Marshal's Office. "Keeping our streets safe takes collaboration, commitment, and proactive policing," Ugarte said in a statement. "Thanks to the teamwork of our Sheriff's Office and local and state law enforcement partners, we ended the holiday weekend with over 50 arrests and, most importantly, no serious incidents." The operation was a two-pronged plan involving the countywide DWI Task Force and high-visibility patrols in the Red Sands desert off-roading area, located off Montana Avenue east of the El Paso city limits. Here's a glance at "Safe Streets Operation" numbers for the Independence Day holiday weekend, provided by the Sheriff's Office: Traffic stops: 381 Warnings: 374 Citations: 128 Total arrests: 53 DWI-related arrests: 29 Parole violation arrests: 10 Those arrested ranged in age from 17 to 68, according to information from the Sheriff's Office. Driving while intoxicated charges made up more than half of the arrests. There were also 10 arrests on parole violations. There were several other arrests on charges such as drug possession, family violence, and one case each of smuggling of persons, reckless driving, and disorderly conduct, including the display/discharge of a firearm. In a notable case, a pound of methamphetamine was seized after a traffic stop turned into a chase that began in Socorro during "Safe Streets Operation," the Sheriff's Office said in a news release. The case began when deputies attempted to pull over a green Saturn vehicle for defective equipment on Saturday, July 5, in the 700 block of Horizon Boulevard in Socorro, the Sheriff's Office reported. The driver, Cesar Alfredo Galindo, 44, is accused of refusing to stop as he kept driving through Socorro, Clint and Fabens, attempting to elude deputies. The driver eventually stopped in the desert north of Fabens, north of Interstate 10, by Hacienda Road near South Fabens-Carlsbad Road, best known as the road to Cattleman's Steakhouse. Deputies found 1.1 pounds of meth with an estimated street value of $5,000 per pound, the Sheriff's Office said. Crime: Masked burglars bust into East El Paso smoke shop, steal nearly $3,000 in merch Galindo was arrested on charges of manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance and evading arrest in a vehicle. He remained jailed Monday on a bond totaling $80,000 at the El Paso County Jail in Downtown. "Let this be a message to anyone thinking about running from law enforcement — if you evade from our deputies, you will be caught," Ugarte said in a statement. "Our Safe Streets Operation was found to be successful, and we're committed to keeping drugs and criminals off our streets." Daniel Borunda may be reached at dborunda@ and @BorundaDaniel on X. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso 'Safe Streets Operation' nets 50 arrests on 4th of July holiday
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Yahoo
El Paso County Sheriff's Office cracks down on DWI during July Fourth holiday
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The El Paso County Sheriff's Office (EPSCO) conducted a County-wide crackdown on drunk driving Friday night during 4th of July celebrations. The 'Safe Streets Operation' entailed the deployment of over 150 deputies across the County as part of their DWI task force. 'A lot of people go out and celebrate the 4th of July. They have some drinks, some people a little bit too much, and we're pretty much trying to bring down the number of intoxicated drivers on the road. We want to make sure everyone's celebrating, having fun, but in a safe manner,' Deputy Christopher Medina said during a ride-along with KTSM. Just over 100 of the deployed deputies were assigned to patrol in far East El Paso, along Montana Avenue and into Red Sands, where Friday night's enforcement efforts were focused. Medina said that area has become a hotspot for drunk driving and violence on 4th of July. 'Pretty much our main goal out here is to make sure everybody knows we're out here, making sure everybody's acting accordingly, nobody's intoxicated from what we can observe, that they're not endangering themselves,' Medina said. The Sheriff's Office had a command post stationed inside Red Sands and deployed multiple deputies to patrol in the dunes, using ATV units. El Paso County Sheriff Oscar Ugarte said that was the first time multiple deputies were deployed into the Red Sands' dunes during 4th of July celebrations. EPCSO were assisted by multiple other law-enforcement agencies and fire departments. EPCSO officials reported that there were no shootings, no fatalities, and over 15 DWI arrests Friday night. The EPCSO's DWI operations will continue throughout the weekend. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
