by Al Summers
News Editor
alsummers@timescourier.com
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Officers from local law enforcement agencies will be participating in “100 Days of Summer Heat” and “Operation Click It or Ticket” over the next four months.
Last Friday, May 21, officers from the Ellijay Police Department, East Ellijay Police Department, Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office, Jasper Police Department, Pickens County Sheriff’s Office, Canton Police Department, Woodstock Police Department, Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office, and Georgia State Troopers from the Blue Ridge and Canton posts met in East Ellijay for the kickoff of the summer-long event. All of the above agencies are members of the Appalachian Traffic Trail Enforcement Network.
The officers were addressed by Ricky Rich from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, who said that seat belt awareness would be a top priority, along with slowing speeders.
The seat belt awareness program, Click It or Ticket, started Monday, May 24 and will run through Sept. 12. Ellijay Police Sgt. Eddie Gilmore told the Times-Courier, “There will be no breaks for not wearing a seat belt. If you are not wearing a seat belt, you will get a ticket.”
The “100 Days of Summer Heat” campaign will focus on reducing speed and accidents on the roadways. Gilmore said, “The city of Ellijay will be using stationary and moving radar to monitor speeds. We will also be having road checks at various times during the summer. So, slow down and buckle up.”
In a release to the Times-Courier, Gilmer County Sheriff Billy Bernhardt said as a “warm-up” for the 100 Days of Summer Heat, his officers made nine DUI arrests, 15 drug arrests, six felony arrests, five suspended license arrests, and arrested 10 fugitives. Officers also issued 45 traffic citations over the weekend.