This Holiday Season, and All Year Long:
Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over
Dexter Police Department is partnering with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to get drunk drivers off the roads and help save lives. The national high-visibility enforcement campaign, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, runs from December 13, 2019 – January 1, 2020. During this period, local law enforcement will show zero tolerance for drunk driving, as well as drugged driving, which is on the rise. Increased State and national messages about the dangers of driving impaired, coupled with enforcement and increased officers on the road, aim to drastically reduce drunk driving on our nation’s roadways.
Sadly, the statistics show that we have a lot of work to do to put an end to drunk driving. According to NHTSA, 10,511 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes in 2018, equating to one person killed every 48 minutes. These crashes account for 29 percent of all 2018 fatalities. On average, 10,000 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes each year from 2014 to 2018. That’s the equivalent of 20 jumbo jets crashing each year, with no survivors. This is why the Dexter Police Department is working with NHTSA to remind drivers that drunk driving is not only illegal, it is a matter of life and death. As you head out to enjoy the holiday festivities, remember: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.
Drunk driving isn’t the only risk on the road: Drug-impaired driving is also an increasing problem on our nation’s roads. If drivers are impaired by any substance—alcohol or drugs—they should not get behind the wheel of a vehicle. Driving while impaired is illegal, period. The bottom line is this: If You Feel Different, You Drive Different. Drive High, Get a DUI. It’s that simple.
During the holidays, and every day, please remember that drunk driving isn’t only illegal, it’s deadly.
For more information about the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, visit www.TrafficSafetyMarketing.gov.
The Caruthersville Police Department has issued an Endangered Person Advisory for
Michele L. Bell, who has been missing since 11:43 p.m. on December 8. Bell's car was located unoccupied near Joiner, Arkansas.
Bell is 36 years old, 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 105 pounds. She has blond hair, green eyes and a light complexion. According to authorities she was last seen wearing a pink shirt and pink leggings.
Authorities say Bell is suffering from mental illness and is hallucinating. Anyone has seen Bell or has any information on her whereabouts should dial 911, call the nearest law enforcement agency or call the Caruthersville Police Department at 573-333-4101.
On Saturday, November 16th, 2019, Officer Durall, conducted a traffic stop and was assisted by Cpl. Forshee.
During the investigation, the driver of the vehicle, Chad Goza, had active Scott County Warrants for Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Marijuana less than (10) grams and Driving While Revoked/Suspended. The vehicle had been reported stolen by the Scott County Sheriff’s Office.
Dexter PD K-9 Officer Forkum and his K-9, Knox, responded and assisted in the investigation. During the search of the vehicle, K-9 Knox, alerted to the presence of narcotics inside the vehicle. During the search of the vehicle, approximately 13 grams of methamphetamine and other drug paraphernalia were discovered.
Arrested were:
Chad M. Goza
Age 43 of Cape Girardeau, Mo.
Charged with Tampering 1st Degree, Possession of a Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Bond $25,000.00 Cash Only
Deana M. Latham
Age 29 of Sikeston, Mo.
Charged with Tampering 1st Degree, Possession of a Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Bond $50,000.00 Cash Only
Both are currently being held in the Stoddard County Jail.
K-9 Knox has also assisted in 3 other investigations, resulting in 6 drug arrests.
K-9 Knox is a great asset for our department and surrounding agencies.
Malden, Missouri - On Saturday, November 16th beginning at 8 a.m. family and friends of Ricky Brown will meet at the First General Baptist Church in Malden.
That is the location of their command center for all volunteers wishing to help look for Ricky.
They will have food, drinks, and a warm place for everyone throughout the day.
"I have a list started for food and volunteer donations," stated family member Lori O'Dell. "Please contact any family member for information or to sign up. Your help is so very appreciated."
Ricky Brown was last seen on June 27, 2019 in Malden around 5:30 p.m. He was wearing jeans, a t-shirt, a blue/red/yellow/green checked flannel shirt, and black tennis shoes.
If anyone has information regarding his whereabout, please contact Malden Police Department at 573-276-2211.
In 2018, the Dexter Police Department was awarded two traffic safety enforcement grants targeting occupant protection safety and impaired driving enforcement from the Missouri Department of Transportation Highway Safety Division. Officers worked these grants during MODOT’s fiscal year, which ran from 10/01/2018 – 09/30/2019. The following are the results of both grants enforcement statistics:
MODOT Grant Enforcement Statistics 10/01/2018 – 09/30/2019
DWI Alcohol Arrests: 2
DWI Drug Arrests: 1
Hazardous Moving Violations: 47
Seatbelt Violations: 141
Child Restrain Violations: 4
Suspended/Revoked Violations: 10
No Operators License: 3
Uninsured Motorist Violations: 36
Felony Arrests: 6
Drug Arrests: 5
Stolen Vehicles Recovered: 1
Fugitives Apprehended: 14
Non-Hazardous Moving Violations: 254
Verbal/Written Warnings for
Various Traffic Offenses: 661
Traffic Stops Conducted: 674
Hours Worked on Grants: 493
The Dexter Police Department would like to thank MODOT for providing the funding to help provide a safer driving environment for the citizens of Dexter due to these enforcement efforts. Without the grant funding, these enforcement efforts wouldn’t be possible.
