National Recognition for NM Public Safety Program

100 Days and Nights of Summer Wins National Criminal Justice Association Outstanding Criminal Justice Program Award

100 Days and Nights of Summer was recognized as an outstanding criminal justice program by the National Criminal Justice Association at the National Forum on Criminal Justice and Public Safety held in Louisville, Kentucky earlier this month.

The program consists of 100 DWI checkpoints conducted throughout New Mexico during the 100 days and nights of summer (June through September). New Mexico law enforcement agencies held 232 checkpoints and made 2,216 DWI arrests during the 2007 100 Days and Nights of Summer traffic safety program.

“This program has been of the most successful and rewarding endeavors that the New Mexico State Police has participated in,” said Paul Cook, division director at the NM Department of Public Safety. “It is my opinion that this organization really deserves this recognition and I am proud to be associated with them.”

Preliminary statistics indicate traffic fatalities in New Mexico declined by 15 percent in June, July and August 2007 during 100 Days and Nights of Summer enforcement, compared to the same months in 2006.

The NCJA Outstanding Criminal Justice Program Awards are a way to seek out and share successful criminal justice programs. The purpose of these awards is to highlight programs that:

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Address an important criminal justice issue;

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Demonstrate effectiveness based on program goals;

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Are a good example of used of federal funds to initiate the program; and

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Can be easily replicated in other jurisdictions.

For more information on NCJA, please visit www.ncja.org.