PGPD Announces Results of Joint “Operation SOLO” and Sobriety Checkpoint Initiatives

Prince George’s County, Maryland… The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Special Operations Division and Traffic Enforcement Unit, along with the Maryland State Police, have announced the results of the joint Operation SOLO and Sobriety Checkpoint traffic safety initiatives conducted over the course of the past three months which focused on reducing the number of driving under the influence (DUI) incidents associated with critical injury and fatal vehicle collisions.

From November 11^th, 2011 through January 14^th, 2012, Operation SOLO culminated in 20 DUI arrests, six felony arrests, 17 misdemeanor arrests, 37 warrants served, 731 traffic citations, 231 equipment repair orders, and 375 citation warnings being issued.  Along with the arrests and citations issued, officers recovered one handgun and one knife as well as 12.7 grams of crack cocaine and 39.1 grams of marijuana.

The sobriety checkpoints resulted in nine driving under the influence arrests, two possession of controlled dangerous substance arrests, one open warrant arrest, one open alcohol container citation, and one child safety seat violation citation.

"This is an excellent example of what our collaborative efforts with our partners, the Maryland State Police, can achieve to make Prince George’s County safer," stated Chief Mark A. Magaw.

            "I appreciate the partnership and support of the Prince George's County Police Department as we conduct cooperative traffic and criminal enforcement initiatives," Colonel Marcus L. Brown, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police said.  "Recent Operation SOLO patrols and sobriety checkpoints removed not only drunk drivers from the road, but also led to the arrests of wanted felons and fugitives.  These and other coordinated efforts will continue as we work together to make Maryland safer." 

The Prince George’s County Police Department will continue its efforts to ensure the safety of motorists and pedestrians throughout the year through educational awareness and future traffic safety and sobriety checkpoint initiatives.  

For more information, contact the Prince George's County Police Department’s Media Relations Division at (301) 772-4710.