(Ohio) – Law enforcement leaders from the Stark County Sheriff’s Office, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and the Ashland City Police Department came together to share a safety message with the communities they serve.
Stark County Sheriff George T. Maier, representing the Buckeye State Sheriff’s Association leads the video noting appreciation for how communities have taken the COVID-19 threat seriously and have cooperated with social distancing and stay at home orders. “As law enforcement partners, we would like to personally thank the citizens of Ohio for stepping up and doing their part to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and flatten the curve,” he explained. “We’d also like to thank those on the front lines during this pandemic. Grocery store employees, truck drivers, medical staff, utility workers, and all of the other critical employees who kept the supply lines open and our communities safe and healthy.”
Sheriff Maier goes on to say, “as officers, we took an oath to protect and serves all of Ohio’s citizens. We remain present, vigilant, and continued to deliver on our promise to provide public safety services within our respective jurisdictions.”
Colonel Richard Fambro with the Ohio State Highway Patrol then noted a decline in crashes along Ohio’s roadways as a direct correlation with people following statewide directives to stay home. “We all have a responsibility to protect the safety of every person in Ohio including those using Ohio’s roadways.” Colonel Fambro added that law enforcement will continue to focus on traffic violations such as excessive speed, tailgating, improper passing, failure to yield, distracted driving, and anything else that poses a threat to public safety on Ohio’s roadways.
Ashland City Police Chief David Marcelli, representing the Ohio Association of Police, continued to stress the safety message. “To truly make an impact on [the] safety of Ohio’s roads, we must all do our part,” he said. “That’s why we are asking you to think about traffic safety as you return to work and begin traveling again. Plan ahead and leave extra time for yourself to get to your destination.” Chief Marcelli encouraged drivers to “do their part” by reporting reckless and dangerous drivers to law enforcement.”
“Help us continue to save lives and prevent injuries,” Sheriff Maier added. “Let’s all put the same effort as we did into flattening the curve to decreasing crashes and increasing the safety of our roadways. Together, we can make 2020 one of the safest years on Ohio’s roads.”
