Baton Rouge Police Gets Grant For Safety Efforts

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — The Baton Rouge Police Department has received a grant from the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission that will be used to fund 16,000 hours of man power to enforce impaired driving, seat belt use, speeding and underage drinking.

Cpl. L'Jean McKneely says the program aims to reduce alcohol-related fatalities and underage drinking while increasing seat belt usage among drivers and passengers.

McKneely tells says police began Thursday night increasing the enforcement effort of underage drinking, which involves officers concentrating on areas such as college campuses, bars and clubs.

In addition to the enforcement aspect of the grant, he said, officers will also spend time in local classrooms educating young people about the dangers of alcohol abuse.