GUERNSEY COUNTY, Ohio (AVC News) — The Guernsey County Sheriff’s Office has received nearly $50,000 in state grants to support traffic enforcement and reduce impaired driving and serious crashes.
The Ohio Department of Public Safety awarded the office two grants totaling $49,911.78 for the federal fiscal year 2026 grant period, which runs from Oct. 1, 2026, through Sept. 30, 2027.
The sheriff’s office received $24,205.89 for overtime enforcement through the Impaired Driving Enforcement Program. Deputies will work between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. to target impaired driving and help prevent fatal and serious injury crashes.
Another $25,705.89 will fund overtime through the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program. These hours can be used at any time to target traffic safety issues linked to fatal crashes, including speeding, impaired and distracted driving, aggressive driving, seat belt use, motorcycle safety and failure to yield.
The office was selected for the grants because Guernsey County averaged at least two fatal crashes during the three-year period cited in the grant announcement: 2020, 2021 and 2023.
The funding supports high-visibility enforcement, which combines proactive law enforcement with public awareness efforts to discourage dangerous driving and encourage compliance with traffic laws.
Deputies will also participate in traffic enforcement blitzes during holidays, school dances, the Super Bowl and other events. Additional enforcement hours are planned throughout October to cover homecoming events and Halloween.
