From The Tribune staff reports
MONTGOMERY – This Memorial Day weekend, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is kicking off 101 days of safety throughout the summer months, beginning with the busy holiday weekend on Friday, May 27, and ending on Labor Day, Sept. 5, which, for many, is the last major holiday weekend of the summer season.
The agency will utilize an assortment of platforms and partnerships with local first responders to implement and convey a variety of safety initiatives along with tips and messages to keep your loved ones safe while enjoying all the summer festivities. From the highways, waterways and even the airways, ALEA will be there to assist and preserve public safety for all.
“After the challenges and restrictions of COVID-19, we realize and understand that Alabamians and citizens from across the nation will be traveling to and through our state to reach their fun-filled destinations to enjoy this holiday weekend with both friends and family,” said ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor. “As the state law enforcement agency, we have developed a variety of initiatives to ensure that Alabama’s highways, waterways and beaches are safe for all.”
The official Memorial Day travel period began on 12:01 a.m. Friday, May 27, and concludes at midnight Monday, May 30.
Like previous years, all available Troopers within ALEA’s Highway Patrol and Marine Patrol Division will be actively patrolling Alabama’s busy roadways and scenic waterways. However, this year, the Agency is taking safety a step further and utilizing its Aviation Unit to partner with Gulf Shores and Orange Beach to assist with a Summer Rescue Swimmer detail throughout the entire Memorial Day weekend.
“The purpose of this detail is to provide a rapid response water emergency team to enhance the safety for all citizens and visitors on Alabama’s beaches,” said Protective Services Division Chief Stephen Tidwell. “Our Aviation Unit will provide an aircraft and pilot to quickly fly and deploy rescue swimmers from both Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Fire Departments to distressed swimmers. The aircraft will also be utilized to conduct beach safety flights, patrolling in those areas where lifeguards are not available.”
Director of ALEA’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) Colonel Jimmy Helms added, “We know that many citizens across the state are planning to visit and enjoy Alabama’s beautiful beaches, which is why we felt it necessary to coordinate, develop and include beach safety within our Agency’s Memorial Day and summer safety initiatives. We integrated this valuable control measure into ALEA’s safety plan in-conjunction with incorporating it into our messaging campaign, which includes tips to avoid crashes on both highways and waterways across our state, in an effort to ensure that everyone returns home safely.”
Steve Thompson, Chief responsible for ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division noted, “Along with ALEA Aviation, Troopers assigned to our Marine Patrol Division will also be available to assist with any boaters in distress, not only on the Gulf Coast, but along all Alabama’s waterways. Our state has a multitude of waterways which host a variety of aquatic and marine related activities, so regardless of where you plan to enjoy your Memorial Day weekend festivities, Marine Patrol Troopers will be out patrolling Alabama’s rivers, lakes and beaches. Troopers will be conducting safety vessel inspections to ensure every boat on the water is properly equipped with all the necessary safety equipment including a personal floatation device (PFD) for everyone on board the vessel. Our Troopers will also be on the lookout for indications that vessel operators may be impaired. Please understand there will be zero tolerance for boating under the influence. We want everyone to relax and enjoy the upcoming weekend, but you must be safety aware while on the water.”
All available Troopers within the ALEA’s Highway Patrol Division will be out in full force before and during this Memorial Day holiday weekend to ensure Alabama roadways are as safe as possible, Taylor added.
“Recently, we have seen a dramatic increase in commercial motor vehicle traffic across our state, as various industries continue to move into Alabama, we believe this trend will only increase. Given the influx in commercial vehicle traffic along with the much-anticipated Memorial Day weekend, we may see historic volumes of traffic on Alabama roadways. While we recognize and understand motorists are eager to reach their favorite vacation destination, we cannot stress enough how essential it is to have a pre-trip checklist and include a roadside emergency kit within that inspection. We also remind everyone how important it is to be vigilant when driving on roadways in heavier-than-normal traffic, especially when commercial vehicles are present. You must be a defensive driver because the slightest amount of inattention can have tragic consequences,” said Col. Jimmy Helms.