EPCSO-MONTANA STATION OPERATION PLAN /JULY 4, 2011 STATISTICS

NEWS RELEASE DATE/TIME: JULY 7, 2011 6:30 PM

MONTANA STATION OPERATION PLAN

I. PURPOSE

The purpose of the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Operation Plan for this Independence Day Holiday was to focus on the enforcement on the illegal use of fireworks and the transporting of fireworks into unincorporated areas of El Paso County, due to the recent ban on the sale, possession and use of fireworks within unincorporated areas of the county. The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Bureau increased patrol within the East Montana areas between the hours of 7:00 PM and 1:00 AM on 07-04-11 to insure public safety, maintain the peace and protect private and public properties from possible fire damage.

II. MISSION

The mission of the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office on 07-4-11 was to prevent the illegal use and possession of fireworks and to increase our visibility and encourage the public to comply with the current ban on fireworks. Officers monitored the event by identifying, arresting/issuing citations to violators to minimize the risk to the public and private property. All fireworks encountered were confiscated and will be properly disposed of.

III. GEOGRAPHY

Far East Montana Avenue (62/180) is located in the Lower Valley. Montana Ave. is a heavily traveled roadway with four lanes. It has two lanes running east and west. There is a major road construction project at the intersection of Montana Ave. and Zaragoza Rd., also a major intersection. This area is reduced to one lane of travel for both east and west bound traffic. This area is surrounded by residences and businesses. The areas concentrated on were between the 12,400 block of Montana and east to the 16,250 block, 6.6 miles of open desert, side roads, businesses and residential areas. The area was broken down into four zones A, B, C, and D each with their own specific problems.

IV. HISTORY

Each year thousands of citizens of El Paso leave the city limits where fireworks are illegal and find their way out to the rural areas of east Montana Ave. to purchase fireworks and celebrate with party activities. Last year’s Computer Aided Dispatch Log (CAD) reported over two hundred and sixty-two calls for service during the one day celebration which included: loud music, subjects, disturbing, DWI’s, fires and motor vehicle accidents etc. With the current ban on fireworks the same types of calls were not anticipated, however, with the current drought conditions in El Paso County, fires caused by the illegal use of fireworks is still a major concern.

V. CONCEPT

The Operation was implemented with the support of the following Bureau personnel/Sections: Montana Station Patrol, Clint Substation/Patrol, Courthouse Patrol, Search and Rescue Team, Strike Team/Community Services and Border Star.

VI. EXECUTION

The Patrol Bureau and Strike Team Commander authorized Deputies to help with calls, patrol and traffic enforcement by using a minimum of ten marked units to patrol the four zones and a minimum of ten Deputies to assist during the specific times and work solely on the detection and prevention of illegal firework use. Two of the ten vehicles were equipped with four wheel drive to respond into the desert areas if needed.

The Montana Station Operations Plan for the 4th of July consisted of 2nd and 3rd shift patrol focusing on heavy patrol enforcement and officer presence from the 12,501 Montana Ave. to the 16,000 block of Montana Ave., Gateway East Blvd, Eastlake to Horizon, Red Sands area and Horizon area.

MONTANA STATISTICS

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Vinton and Clint Station statistics also consisted of 2nd and 3rd shift patrol. Although no Operation Plans were executed in these areas, Officers still focused on the enforcement on illegal use, sale and possession of fireworks within the unincorporated areas of El Paso County.  

VINTON  STATISTICS

CLINT STATISTICS

A “Special Thanks” to all, to include the JAIL ANNEX and Probationers, who took “PRIDE” in participating with the cleanup after the Operation Plan.