Sheriff announces new method targeting drunk drivers in The Woodlands this holiday weekend

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, in accordance with the District Attorney’s Office and various other Montgomery County law enforcement agencies, will coordinate strategies and new data analysis methods to “zero-in” on specific roads, intersections and areas where intoxicated drivers are expected to be on the Fourth of July weekend.

"We have a new software system that takes us from random patrol to a directed patrol, which is what this is all about," said Montgomery County Sheriff Rand Henderson. "We have made this part of our strategic plan. It’s goal number one.”

Utilizing interactive maps showing different agencies and where they make arrests, heat maps, clusters reflecting population density, and new systemic coordination of DWI enforcement efforts, multiple state and municipal agencies are in the process of moving forward to identify trends and commonalities with impaired drivers.

“We have a number of agencies throughout the county who are going to be able to use this data in their enforcement of DWI laws this weekend and throughout the summer," said Montgomery County District Attorney Prosecutor Tyler Dunman. "And frankly, year-round."

Agencies utilizing the new system include the Conroe Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, and Montgomery County Constables for Precincts One and Three.

Henderson expects to see an increase in data over the holiday weekend -- and he predicts several arrests.

“We’ve worked on education efforts, we’ve got the message out, now it’s time for enforcement,” Henderson said. “So one last reminder to the public: don’t drink and drive, plan before you go to the bar, plan before you go to an outing where you’re expecting to drink. Our enhanced operations will be sending patrol units to where DWIs are most likely to occur.”

Meanwhile, the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office announced its participation in the Deadly Days of Summer campaign earlier this year. The operation launched Memorial Day weekend and will continue through Labor Day. For more information, click here.