Police getting grants to help fight underage drinking, speed enforcement

The Maricopa Police Department recently received two state grants to combat underage drinking and traffic violations in the city.

The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety is giving the police department $3,857 to cover overtime and equipment for officers to conduct additional underage drinking enforcement details and youth education to discourage underage drinking. According to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, alcohol is the drug most commonly used by youth 12-20 years old throughout the country and it is the most common contributor to injury, death and criminal behavior among youth.

In a release, the Maricopa Police Department said 64 children were arrested for underage alcohol violations last year, including five DUI violations.

Another Governor’s Office of Highway Safety grant for $6,000 will help police conduct additional speed and traffic enforcement details along the city’s 223 miles of roads. The department said the funds will also enable it to participate in multi-agency task forces, specifically the new Pinal County DUI Task Force.