Belleville and New Glarus Police Assist with Multijurisdictional Traffic Safety Detail

On Friday, June 23rd, the Brodhead Police Department held its third annual high visibility traffic safety enforcement deployment. The Brodhead Police Department was joined by the Belleville and New Glarus Police Departments. The Green County Sheriff’s K9 Unit was called in for two of these traffic stops.
Brodhead Police Chief Chris Hughes stated by working together we are creating public awareness and making our communities, streets and highways safer.
Officers stopped a total of 19 motorists during the four-hour period. These stops resulted in some 18 citations and 15 warnings to drivers and passengers. Citations ranged from not wearing a seatbelt, speeding, permitting an unauthorized person to drive, failing to stop at a stop sign, open intoxicants in a motor vehicle, as well as other non-moving violations.
Along with these citations, the following arrests were made: Darren Misner, 23, Beloit, was arrested for Possessing 43 grams of Marijuana, With the Intent to Distribute. Misner’s vehicle was stopped for Failing to Display a Front License Plate. Selena Torres, 18, Kent, Washington, was arrested for Possession of Marijuana and Drug Paraphernalia. Torres was smoking a marijuana cigarette at the time the vehicle she was a passenger in was stopped for a loud exhaust. Kevin Bobolz, 38, Brodhead, was arrested for his 4th Offense of Operating While Intoxicated. Bobolz had a preliminary alcohol concentration of .11. Bobolz’s vehicle was stopped for Not Having Taillight Operating at Night.
This year’s efforts were supported by a $59,000 grant through the Wisconsin Bureau of Transportation Safety (BOTS). The money from this grant allows Green County law enforcement agencies to target specific highways that are considered “at risk.” The Wisconsin Department of Transportation analyzed alcohol and speed-related crash data from the three previous years for every jurisdiction in Wisconsin. This data was scientifically weighted, following established statistical protocol. Thus, Green County law enforcement agencies are focusing their deployments on the major highways in the county, as well as those highways, roads or streets within a quarter mile of these major corridors.
“Drunk, drugged and buzzed driving knows no boundaries. Thanks to this grant and Green County law enforcement agencies coming together, neither do we,” said Hughes.