Police officers see the results when tragedy happens, says Sarnia Police Chief Derek Davis.
“One of the most tragic things we see is the impacts of impaired driving,” Davis said Saturday morning while helping MADD Sarnia-Lambton set up its annual white cross and red ribbon display.
City firefighters, police officers and volunteers joined local board members with MADD set up crosses representing victims of impaired driver next to the St. Clair Parkway at Aamjiwnaang First Nation as part of the organization’s Red Ribbon campaign.
Davis, who was appointed Sarnia’s police chief earlier this year, has been a volunteer with MADD for several years and is currently vice-chairperson of its national board.
“This is a preventable crime,” and something local groups, like the one in Sarnia-Lambton, “do a great job trying to prevent,” he said.
“Hopefully in the future we can eliminate impaired driving.”
But there’s work to do, Davis said.
Sarnia police have investigated 235 impaired driving incidents since January 2021, which is up 14 per cent from the same time period before that, he said.
The number of first-time offenders arrested climbed 10 per cent, Davis said.
It’s hard to know exactly why the numbers have increased but the pandemic may have played a role, he said.
“COVID has been a real, unpredictable time for everyone. As we come out of COVID we hope to establish a new normal where we less of that type of crime.”
The largest age group of offenders locally was 20 to 39.
City police charged 10 drivers under 19 and four who were over 70, Davis said.
“There’s a stereotype out there that it’s only young people,” which isn’t true, he said.
Offenders are, largely, those who have lived all through the era of the “don’t drink and drive” message, Davis said.
“We know that community safety can’t be achieved by police alone,” he said.
“We need support from community groups like MADD Sarnia-Lambton.”
There’s also a role for the public, Davis said.
“Impaired driving is a crime in-progress. I’d encourage anyone who sees it to call 911 and police will respond as quickly as we can.”
Davis said Saturday’s launch of the Sarnia-area chapter’s white cross display was the first of its kind he has attended.
“It’s a great, impactful, visual reminder,” he said. “Every one of these crosses represents a life and a family. The impacts ripple out.”
The holiday season display has moved to different locations around Lambton County for about two decades.
John Adams, a member of the Aamjiwnaang band council, welcomed MADD and the display to the First Nation Saturday and thanked the organization for its work to reduce impaired driving.
“Our community really does support this,” he said.
