Marion County Sheriff Tim Bailey announced today the Governor’s Highway Safety Office has awarded the sheriff’s office a $43,323.01 grant for the year 2012. The grant will fund overtime salaries for deputies to increase their presence on the county roadways. The mission is to save lives and reduce injuries on Marion County roads.

“These funds are critical to ensuring that we are doing everything possible to keep our community safe,” said Sheriff Bailey. “Based on crash data, we have identified SR. 4, SR. 423, SR. 309, SR. 95, and SR. 98 as a priority for Marion County and are pleased to work with our partner at the state level to address this safety issue.”

The funds are passed through OTSO from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to support the efforts of safety partners statewide and focus on traffic safety priority areas such as restraint use, impaired driving, and excessive speed. In the past three out of four years, Ohio roadway fatalities have decreased to near record lows. There were 1,080 fatalities on Ohio’s roads in 2010, up from 1,022 in 2009, but down from 1,191 in 2008 and 1,257 in 2007. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office is working to continue that trend in Marion County.

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office was presented with a new radar unit for participation in the program by program director Bob Painter and regional liaison Frank Arvrey. The Sheriff also congratulated Detective Jason Dutton for his work as the grant manager and the successful completion of the 2010 grant. The 2010 grant amount was $48,401.97 and the following are the statistical results of the program in Marion County.

Target areas for 2011 were State Route 4, SR 95, SR 423, SR 98, and SR 309.

Deputies worked 701 overtime hours funded by the grant.

816 vehicles were stopped for various violations.

183 citations issued for excessive speed.

18 citations for safety belt violations.

19 citations for driving under suspension.

2 citations for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.

29 citations issued for miscellaneous offenses .

The “miscellaneous offenses” included such violations as open container, drug possession, and other traffic violations.

Sheriff Tim Bailey wants everyone to have a fun and safe Halloween and has issued a set of safety tips to help reduce crime and accidents during trick or treat events.

Marion County Halloween Schedules

Costume Safety

• Choose costumes that are bright and contain reflective material.

• Add a reflective stripe if necessary to make your child more visible to drivers.

• Carry a glow stick or glow necklace to be more visible.

• Avoid costumes that cover a child’s head and may prevent them from seeing a vehicle or other hazard.

• Remember toy guns look real. Choose costumes that do not contain guns or weapons.

The sheriff also suggests that parents should:

• Accompany young children when they go trick-or-treating.

• Carry a flashlight, cell phone and first aid kit.

• Teach children how to dial 9-1-1 if they encounter an emergency.

• Plan a route with your children and agree on a time to “check-in” with family.

• Only let children trick-or-treat in neighborhoods parents are familiar with and only to houses with front porch lights on.

• Caution children to never enter a person’s home while trick-or-treating.

• See that trick-or-treaters cross streets at intersections only.

• Have trick-or-treaters eat dinner before going out, or take a snack from home. Do not allow your children to eat any candy unless, checked by an adult first. Any unwrapped items should be discarded.

• Before you allow your child to knock on any door, become better informed. Check the Ohio Esorn Sex Offender Registry website. Learn who lives in the houses you plan to visit. Be cautious rather than sorry!

• Notify your neighborhood watch groups of the trick-or-treating” times, and have them walk the neighborhoods to look out for children.

• Report any suspicious activity to the Marion County Sheriff's Office at (740) 382-8244.

• Remind children to have respect for their neighborhood. Although some activities may seem like fun -- smashing pumpkins, “egging,” spray painting and spraying property with shaving cream are all illegal activities that damage a person’s property. Police should be notified of any such activity

Halloween also poses special challenges for people who will be driving while trick-or-treaters are out. The sheriff suggests:

• Drive slowly (with lights on) and defensively all evening.

• No one should drive a vehicle while wearing a Halloween mask of any type.

• Be cautious, because young trick-or-treaters may dart out in front of you at anytime.

• Obey all traffic signals, both as a driver and a pedestrian.

• Driving under the influence laws will be strictly enforced, so make sure you have a designated driver.

• Persons under the age of 21 should not drink any alcoholic beverage.

And Halloween can be a traumatic or even dangerous time for pets. So the sheriff suggests:

• Don’t leave your pet(s) out in the yard.

• Many strangers visiting in strange costumes can be scary for some pets.

• Make sure your cat or dog doesn’t dart outside when you open the door.

• Don't dress your pet in a Halloween costumes, as it causes great stress for the animal.

• Trick-or-treat candies of any type are not for pets. Chocolate is poisonous to many animals.

• Consult your veterinarian for further advice or visit the ASPCA’s website.