Putnam commission approves $10,000 grant

WINFIELD, W.Va. — Putnam County Commission approved a grant application submission for $10,000 to help the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department keep drunk drivers off county highways.

County Administrator Brain Donat said that the period of time covered by the commission on the Drunk Driving Prevention grant will span from July 1 through September, while helping to fund overtime needed for conducting check points and general road patrols. 

Activities for the three-month period covered by the previous grant saw the sheriff’s department stopping 1,001 vehicles resulting in 21 DUI arrests , 17 citations for driving under suspended or revoked license, and 17 individuals driving without insurance. A total of 941 warnings were issued with 652 speeding tickets written and three drug arrests made. 

Donat said the sheriff’s department has applied for these grants continuously since Sheriff Mark Smith has been in office. 

“Obviously it’s been a very positive experience,” Donat said.