Awards, Laws and Holiday Weekend

Trooper Downing and First Lady Sally Ganem

Wow what a week last week was for our MADD State Office!  On Tuesday we held our 12th annual “Outstanding Law Enforcement Awards & Recognition” in LaVista and Iowa law enforcement joined our event too.  It was a pleasure to see more than 25 awards handed out to deserving individuals that work tirelessly to ensure that we have safe roads to travel home on each and every day.

MADD appreciates the  financial support from Bob Batt to make this event a reality and we really appreciate the support of the family members of the winners as they pay a price that we, the public, will never understand but we do appreciate.  There was much fun to be had on Tuesday and the Candy Bar was a hit again. Thanks to our signature sponsor No Frills.

Next, there was the signing of LB 667 into law by the Governor.  A comprehensive piece of legislation brought to the state senators by the Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning, manged by the Speaker of the Legislature, Mike Flood and prioritized by Senator Wallman.  Additionally, there was considerable victim input by several families and MADD was pleased to see more ignition interlock put into use, boating under suspension, and a separate offense for transporting a child while intoxicated. The bill went through all three rounds of debate without a single NO vote.  That is a testament to the legislature’s support to stop drunk driving and support victims/survivors impacted by this violent crime.

Last, we all kicked off the 100 days of summer with Memorial Day weekend.  A time for reflection, family and gratitude for those that serve our country to ensure we all have our freedom to live life to the fullest.

Several different agencies were conducting DUI enforcement and  seat belt enforcement. Naturally, there was some of concern around the Nebraska State Parks as this is the first year it has been legal to consume alcohol in our state parks for some while.  However, at first glance it seems all went well despite the fact it has put some additional burden on our law enforcement agencies.

That about wraps it up – busy week!  Thanks to our supporters, our victim families and the community for supporting our mission.https://secure2.convio.net/madd/site/Donation2?df_id=2020&2020.donation=form1&JServSessionIdr004=60iaydi125.app246b

Nominations for Outstanding Law Enforcement Awards

Calling all nominations!! 

MADD Nebraska is requesting nominations for outstanding work done, in our state, in the area of DWI, MIP, traffic mobilization, education on underage drinking, prosecution and probation in 2010. Law enforcement is the front line to eliminating drunk driving on our roads across the state. Arrests made, in relation to impaired driving, save lives. Lives of our family members, neighbors and community friends.

 I would also like to take a moment and reflect on the families of law enforcement personnel and thank them for all that they give up – often law enforcement is called away from traditional family settings (birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, vacations) to testify, work late shifts, reconstruct accident scenes.  MADD knows and appreciates the hours law enforcement agencies commit to – to ensure our roads are safe to drive day or night. 

Make sure your agency, outstanding officer, elected official gets the recognition they deserve for the hard work accomplished, lives saved and a community that enjoys a safe drive home to be with family another day!

 

You can find the 2010 Outstanding Law Enforcement Award nomination form by clicking the link below. http://www.maddnebraska.org/resources/dyn/files/429749/_fn/2011+LEA+Nomination+Form.pdf

 

Nominations are due to the State Office March 31, 2011!

Governor Heineman asks the public to “Tie One on For Safety”

This year MADD kicked-off our annual “Tie One On for Safety” campaign.  This is a time where we ask the public to make a pledge to drive safe, sober and buckled up! 

MADD Nebraska would like to thank the Governor and First Lady Sally Ganem for hosting this event at the Governor’s Residence – we had a fantastic turn out with plenty of sun and a bit of chill in the air.  The chill was a wonderful reminder of the holiday’s around the bend and the importance of making sure each and every one of us make the best choice to get home safely – home to friends, family and our community.

A special thanks to all of our law enforcement partners that showed up to support our campaign.  Law enforcement will be out all month conducting special enforcement s to ensure that the motoring public is safe from impaired drivers. 

MADD would also like to thank Hy-Vee stores across the state of Nebraska as our Signature Sponsor – get you MADD ribbon at your local Hy-Vee and take time to let the store manager you appreciate their support.  Also, we want to thank all of our supporters that have donated throughout the year and enable MADD Nebraska to provide services to victim/survivors, local communities, parents and our youth.

All of us here at MADD are grateful for the support we receive and please know if you need anything MADD is always here for you and yours.  You can contact us here at MADD 24/7 at 800-444-6233.

Get Tough on Crime – Stop Drunk Driving with Ignition Interlocks

The media has been buzzing over a 14 time drunk driver.http://www.wowt.com/home/headlines/96684259.html  There are at least 200 offenders in our state of that caliber. Last year alone, in our state, law enforcement arrested approximately 14,000 individuals for DUI. 

This is not a unique crime in our state, sad to say.    Never forget that drunk driving is the most frequently committed crime in our state.

http://www.dmv.ne.gov/highwaysafety/pdf/alcduioffenses.pdf

We must pledge to not become complacent or weary of the continued arrests – for each arrest means a life saved as far as MADD is concerned.  We applaud law enforcement for the tenacity to keep our roads safe for us to travel.

Write to your local judge or county prosecutor and ask why they are not using ignition interlock, a tool proven to be effective while on probation, to keep the public safe? We are all victims when the courts continue to let us down by not using resources at their disposal.  The legislature passed the law to implement ignition interlocks – now we all need to ensure the judges use them. http://www.supremecourt.ne.gov/county-court/index.shtml?sub4

National Law Enforcement Week – Paying Respect

On behalf of MADD and our members across the state, the state office attended the Law Enforcement Memorial dedication in Grand Island. It was a moving experience and a reminder that law enforcement daily put their lives on the line to ensure that the public is safe from harm.  To that end, here at MADD we want to extend our gratitude for the work done by law enforcement across our state to serve and to protect as we go about our daily lives.

 I  want to take a moment to direct you to the National Law Enforcement website: http://www.nleomf.com/programs/policeweek/  

Here you can see that more than 300 officers across the United States have put their lives on the line for all of us.  Sadly, here in Nebraska we too had a fallen officer who was killed in the line of duty in Platte County, August of 2009. 

Fallen Officers Remembered

Memorial Honoring Nebraska's Fallen Officers

(Grand Island, NE)-  Family, friends, fellow officers and the public gathered at Fire Station #1, in Grand Island on Monday, May 10, 2010, to pay tribute to the 131 Nebraska officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

The 10:00 a.m., ceremony planned for the Nebraska Law Enforcement Memorial was moved due to inclement weather.   The ceremony featured bagpipes from the Omaha Police Department; Colors were presented by the Nebraska State Patrol Troop C-Grand Island Honor Guard.  Nebraska Lieutenant Governor Rick Sheehy and Nebraska Secretary of State John Gale provided remarks.  Nebraska State Patrol Superintendent Colonel Bryan Tuma was among the numerous state and local dignitaries attending the observance.

Denice Wagner, wife of fallen Nebraska State Patrol Trooper Mark Wagner #168, provided a survivor perspective.  Trooper Wagner was killed during a training accident on March 4, 1999.

Platte County Sheriff Jon Zavadil dedicated the name of Platte County Deputy Sheriff Christopher Johnson.  Deputy Johnson was killed in the line of duty, in an August 2009 car crash, while responding to a call.  

The Nebraska Law Enforcement Memorial was dedicated during National Police Week 2009.  Funds for the $400,000.00 dark grey granite memorial containing the names of Nebraska officers killed in the line of duty were raised through private donations. 

For more information on the Nebraska Law Enforcement Memorial and how you can donate, visit the Nebraska Law Enforcement Memorial Committee web site at http://www.nememorial.org/   

   

MADD Supports Uniform Bar Closing Across The State

 

On behalf of MADD and our members across the state,  MADD strongly supports a “uniform bar closing” across the state to deter barhopping.  Also, it is important to be mindful of law enforcement shift changes and the potential impact to the city/county or state budget or worse to cause a void in DUI arrests resulting in serious injuries or death.

 In Nebraska in  2009, the state saw an increase in alcohol-related motor vehicle fatalities.  A concern MADD can not overlook.

 Uniform Bar Closing

MADD advocates setting uniform statewide cut off-limits on the sale of alcoholic beverages in order to end the practice of “barhopping” to find establishments with later closing hours for “one last drink” with the likelihood of impaired driving as a result.

 Please take a moment to let Governor Heineman and your state senator know that you do not support each city having the ability to close at different times.

• To e-mail your state senator: http://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/senators/senator_list.php
• To e-mail the Governor: mark.l.matulka@nebraska.gov, policy advisor

 MADD strongly supports uniform bar closing.  It doesn’t matter if it is 1 am or 2 am but the closing across the state needs to be uniform to prevent bar hopping from town to town.

 Please let State Senator Colby Coash know you do not support the amendment for individual towns to determine their hours of operation.

• ccoash@leg.ne.gov

Your voice will make the difference.  Thanks you so much for your support and passion. Act today as the vote will come Friday or Monday.

Nominations for Outstanding Law Enforcement Awards

Outstanding DWI Team 2008

It is that time of year again!  MADD Nebraska is requesting nominations for outstanding work done, in our state, in the area of DWI, MIP, traffic mobilization, education on underage drinking, prosecution and probation in 2009.  All of these areas represent work that is essential to MADD’s mission to eliminate drunk driving. Just follow the link to get the nomination form: http://www.maddnebraska.org/lea/awards

Law enforcement is the front line to eliminating drunk driving on our roads across the state.   Arrests made, in relation to impaired driving, save lives.  Lives of our family members, neighbors and community friends.

 

Last year alone, there were more than 13,000 DWI arrests made statewide. That is equivalent to 36 arrests each and every day of the year – 36!

 

I would also like to take a moment and reflect on the families of law enforcement personnel and thank them for all that they give up – often law enforcement is called away from traditional family settings (birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, vacations) to testify, work late shifts, reconstruct accident scenes.  MADD knows and appreciates the hours law enforcement agencies commit to – to ensure our roads are safe to drive day or night.

 

I want to encourage law enforcement to utilize the MADD webpage designed for them: http://www.madd.org/Professionals/Law-Enforcement.aspx  This is a resource we are proud to share and also MADD would encourage all of you to view www.stopimpaireddriving.org provided by the National Transportation Safety Administration.

 

Make sure your agency, outstanding officer, elected official gets the recognition they deserve for the hard work accomplished, lives saved and a community that enjoys a safe drive home to be with family another day!

 

Nominations due to the State Office April 7, 2010.

Record Arrests = Lives Saved

Lincoln Police Department released their numbers for DUI arrests and they hit an all time high. http://www.journalstar.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_d172fa24-f986-11de-9cfa-001cc4c03286.html On behalf of MADD, we applaud LPD and the efforts of all the officers as they ensured that our roads were safe to travel. 

Thankfully the Lincoln Police Department is not unique and many agencies across the state have had record arrests.  There is a concerted effort by many highway safety advocates (including MADD) to support the Nebraska Highway Safety Plan http://www.dor.state.ne.us/highway-safety/docs/strat-hwy-sfty-plan.pdf .  You will want to look at Appendix II and see High Priority areas and it should come as no surprise that enforcing DUI laws ranks HIGH.  As Nebraskans we should care about the fact that:  one person dies every five days due to an alcohol-related crash in our state. A 100% preventable crime and thanks to enforcement we have seen lives saved! 

Nebraska ranked among the top for the least amount a fatalities due to alcohol-related crashes in 2008.  I am proud that we have 30 more individuals with families and friends still intact.

Checkpoints and heavy enforcement during high traffic times have worked to save lives  and not just in our state but in almost all 50 states.  It is an easy message “if you drink and drive you will get caught.”  http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-12-07-drunk-driving_N.htm 

Bringing me back to the Lincoln Police Department’s, Lancaster County Sheriff’s Department and  the Nebraska State Patrol holiday enforcement resulted in zero alcohol-related deaths in December in Lancaster County in 2009.  Thanks to all for your hard work and keeping us safe as we navigate our way to and from our everyday activities: work, kids, movies, family, errands, grandparents, and the grocery store.

MADD is on the Ribbon but Saving Lives is on Our Minds.

http://www.maddnebraska.org

Nebraska Supreme Court Rules on DRE

MADD Nebraska would like to recognize  State Operations Council Member, Marcie Hagerty, formerly a Deputy County Attorney with the Lancaster County,  she did a great job of not only winning on the motion, but of getting the right case to appeal and seeing that a good record was made. You can see that by reading the opinion. http://www.supremecourt.ne.gov/opinions/2009/november/nov20/s08-192.pdf  The experts were among the best.  MADD Nebraska understands that this was a team effort involving many in and out of the state. 

Nebraska Supreme Court

 

• In part, the court wrote: “A law enforcement officer with the training and experience offered by ‘drug recognition expert’ certification is sufficiently qualified to testify, based on his or her evaluation, that a suspect was under the influence of drugs.”

Thanks also goes out to the Attorney General’s staff as they did a masterful job on the appeal, and for funding through the Office of Highway Safety.
One of the greatest things about the decision is that it does not require the full foundational process to qualify the DRE for the opinion. It clearly states that the experience and training that the DRE status represents will qualify the officer to give an opinion. The opinion is unequivocal and unanimous. What a great win for the Lancaster County Attorney and Nebraska.http://drugrecognitionexpert.blogspot.com/ 

Another way to ensure we eliminate impaired driving in our state – thanks to all. 

http://www.maddnebraska.org/news_and_numbers/research

When the Phone Rings………..

I was awakened in the morning yesterday by the phone ringing at 7:30 a.m.  Never a good thing when the phone rings too early or too late!

It was my daughter and her voice was quivering as she blurted out “the car”………now working at MADD and working with car crashes those are tough words to wake up to “the car”. 

Well during the night someone broke into their car. Stealing everything they could out of the dashboard, breaking windows and jamming the doors.  It appears the car will be totaled.

As my daughter talked excitedly about what had happened to their worldly possession I have to admit that all I was thinking, selfishly, was that luckily nothing happened to my worldly possession – my daughter and son-in-law.

She called Lincoln Police Department, they dispatched an officer.  Now I did not know that this time frame is a tough time for LPD: with shift changes and routine workweek traffic.  With that stated I do want to say that LPD was more than supportive, respectful and understanding of the incident that took place.  To a mom that means a lot!

Crime is a tough pill to swallow and even tougher when it involves your family.  That is why I want to remind everyone that MADD is here to support you when you or your family member has been impacted by a drunk driver.  We can help be a shoulder, support your conversations with insurance agents, educate on how the criminal justice system works and if needed accompany you to court.  Contact us here at MADD: www.maddnebraska.org 

Last, remember to support your local law enforcement agency by supporting them through the annual budget process.  When budgets are tight do we really want less enforcement?  It is important that community members let their city councils and county boards know that they want and need enforcement on the ground – it could be you answering the phone and your daughter saying “the car”.

Simera Reynolds, M.Ed.