General News

Please open the PDF document to view the Press Release details from the Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office and Circleville Police Department about the “IRS Phone Scams”.

Press Release 10-30-2015

ODOT will be removing the remaining 6 Prepare to stop when flashing signals in Pickaway County. They have an expected completion date around June of 2016.

In replacement of these lights is going to be a “Smart System” that uses radar to track a motor vehicle at a specific distance and keeps the light green to avoid a vehicle being in a “Dilemma Zone” or the area of the intersection where the light goes from green to yellow. Please see additional information in the below diagrams.

Program Receives Funding for 2016 and Director Resigns

A regular meeting of the Safe Communities of Pickaway County Coalition brought forth a review of the 2015 fiscal year, news that the program will continue in 2016, and the resignation of the Director of the Program.

The Director, Teresa C. Carper, began the meeting by reviewing a letter she presented to Coalition members noting that she would be leaving the Director’s position on October 2, 2015. She thanked the members, the community, and the Sheriff’s Office for their continued support of the program. Safe Communities was started in 2010 to promote traffic safety initiatives in Pickaway County with funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The program each year creates a grant proposal submitted to the Ohio Department of Public Safety in order to continue to promote traffic safety messages throughout the county. The Program has received funding for the 2016 fiscal year which begins October 1, 2015.

Carper noted that it has been an honor to serve as the Director and reviewed some of the highlights of the program during her tenure such as the Teen Driver Safety Program. Carper will be moving on to a position with the National SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) Office as the Ohio Coordinator. She will continue to work with teen drivers and promote safety throughout the state.

The Sheriff’s Office which holds the grant for the Safe Communities of Pickaway County program has not named an individual to take over the contracted position. Carper will complete reports and file management for the 2015 fiscal year.

A motor vehicle crash in July and one in September noted two fatalities in Pickaway County for the third quarter of 2015. The Safe Communities of Pickaway County Fatal Review Committee reviewed one of these crashes and advised that all safety recommendations be considered by drivers each time they get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle.

“The Committee noted that this particular crash reviewed shows why drivers need to remember that to ‘Stay Alive’ they should never ‘Text and Drive’, and that driving with any type of impairment can end with negative results”, stated Director Teresa C. Carper. “Also the Committee noted again the need to buckle up when driving or riding in a motor vehicle.”

Motorcycle safety was also a consideration of the crash reviewed, and drivers should remember to continue to “Watch Out for Motorcycles” even though the summer season has ended.

Carper also noted that she would be leaving her post as Director on October 2, 2015, and a new Director would need to review the September 2015 crash, and any other crashes that may end in a fatality. The Committee meets each quarter to review crashes, fatalities, and to make recommendations to promote traffic safety and reduce fatalities in Pickaway County. The Committee is a part of the Safe Communities of Pickaway County Coalition, and the program is funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Agencies to Join Together to Fight Impaired Driving

The National Crackdown on Impaired Driving is a time period where law enforcement agencies statewide and nationally will have extra patrols out on highways and roadways in an attempt to stop impaired driving. Locally, law enforcement will work together in Pickaway County to be a part of this statewide and national effort.

“Our Office is committed to use our funding through the Ohio Department of Public Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to work with other law enforcement agencies throughout the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign”, stated Sheriff Robert Radcliff. “This includes our partnership with the Circleville Police Department and the Ohio State Highway Patrol. We have been a long time recipient of funds to add extra patrols during these specific campaigns and holidays, and we will continue our efforts to keep Pickaway County safe.”

The local post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol also receives funds for enforcement and creates a variety of enforcement plans throughout the year. During “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over”, Lt. Steve Herron of the Pickaway Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol will be conducting what is known as “saturation patrols” throughout the Pickaway County area. By creating partnerships with the Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office and the Circleville Police Department, all of the agencies will be able to cover the county with extra manpower to fight impaired driving and save lives by removing impaired drivers from our local roadways.

“We are committed to the efforts of saving lives through enforcement in Pickaway County and throughout the state”, stated Lt. Steve Herron, OSP Commander of the Pickaway County Post. “We want to create a joint effort with our law enforcement partners and continue to keep fatalities low in Pickaway County, as well as protect innocent drivers from those who choose to drive impaired. Just like the slogan states…if you don’t ‘Drive Sober’, you will get ‘Pulled Over’.”

“Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” continues through Labor Day. However, it should be noted that Impaired Driving is an issue that concerns law enforcement throughout the year. If you have a friend or family member that is impaired, never let them get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. “Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk”. For more information on this enforcement period, and others throughout the year, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at www.nhtsa.gov .

A National Crackdown on Impaired Driving that runs through Labor Day was kicked off at the Circleville Walmart on August 21, 2015. Several traffic safety partners were present to help make the event a success. The event was used to make the public aware of the dangers of driving impaired, and to highlight the toll that crashes and fatalities can make on an individual, families, and the community. Sheriff Robert B. Radcliff opened the festivities, and noted that in Pickaway County many crashes, injuries, and fatalities can be attributed to Impaired Driving.

“In 2014, Pickaway County had 18 crashes that were specifically a result of impaired driving, and of those crashes 3 resulted in a fatality. Five people died, and there were 19 injuries associated with a choice to drive impaired. It is my mission to continue the efforts of the Sheriff’s Office to rid our roadways of impaired drivers through extra patrols, and to work cooperatively with other agencies to do all we can to keep our citizens safe on our roadways”, Radcliff stated.

Sheriff Radcliff was joined by the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Circleville Police Department, Pickaway Twp. Fire Department, and Safe Communities of Pickaway County in promoting the event. Walmart, an ongoing partner in traffic safety was the sponsor of the event, and the Circleville High School Marching Band Percussion section was on hand to entertain attendees. The annual “Drum-a-thon” and Bake Sale put on by the Circleville High School Marching Band Boosters not only helped to promote the idea of driving sober, but raised funds for percussion equipment for the marching band.

We can not thank all our partners enough for their support in the promotion of this safety message”, noted Safe Communities Director Teresa C. Carper. “It is especially important to have the backing of a local business that employs many of our citizens, but having the Circleville Marching Band join us helps us to reach younger drivers.”

The Enforcement Period continues through Labor Day and local Law Enforcement will be stepping up their patrols in an effort to crack down on impaired driving. Although many may think that “impaired driving” only refers to “drunk driving”, impairment can include being under the influence of drugs. Anyone who gets behind the wheel needs to make sure they are able to focus on the road.

The “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign” is one of many traffic safety initiatives that the local Safe Communities program and law enforcement participates in throughout the year. For more on this and other traffic safety campaigns, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website at www.nhtsa.gov .