MINNESOTA STATE PATROL HIGHLIGHTS 9-1-1 RADIO DISPATCHERS IN STOPPING IMPAIRED DRIVERS and MINNESOTANS for SAFE DRIVING HONORS TWO OF THESE OPERATORS

Troopers Encourage Motoring Public to Report Impaired Driving Behavior

Sarah Johnson, Deanna Othoudt from MSD, and Stacy Hass

The Minnesota State Patrol had a press conference in April highlighting the work of 9-1-1 radio dispatchers as an important tool in the fight against impaired driving. At this news conference in St. Paul, the traffic safety organization,Minnesotans for Safe Drivinghonored two State Patrol radio dispatchers for their outstanding service in the arrests of DWI drivers: Stacy Hass, a 10-year veteran and Sarah Johnson, a 9-year veteran of the agency. The dispatchers were recognized as a part ofNational Telecommunicators Week, April 10–16.
According to the State Patrol, 9-1-1 operators play a vital role in handling driver complaints, investigating those calls, and providing troopers with detailed information by monitoring traffic cameras to locate and track impaired drivers. In 2010, State Patrol dispatchers received 42,000 driver complaints, resulting in 662 DWI arrests. Each year in Minnesota, alcohol-related crashes account for more than 140 deaths and 30,000 motorists are arrested for DWI.
“The value of the information dispatchers relay to troopers is immeasurable,” says State Patrol Lt. Eric Roeske. “They are a trooper’s extra set of eyes and ears, and they serve as a vital link between the public and our troopers on the road.” Roeske cites that information from citizens reporting unsafe driving is critical to stopping impaired drivers. The motoring public is encouraged to report impaired driving by calling 9-1-1. Those reporting should be prepared to provide a description of the vehicle — most importantly a license plate number — the location of the vehicle and description of the driver behavior. The State Patrol has 69 operators statewide.

Kathy Swanson Award

Cheri Marti , Director, Office of Traffic Safety DPS,  Sharon Gehrman-Driscoll, Jean Ryan, DPS Impaired driving coordinator and Michael Campion, Commissioner of Public Safety

Sharon Gehrman Driscoll, director and victim advocate for Minnesotans for Safe Driving was awarded theKathy Swanson Outstanding Service Awardat the October 2010 statewide TZD conference. This conference is a partnership between the Departments of Transportation, Public Safety, Health and the Center for Transportation at the University of Minnesota to advocate for traffic safety, and “Towards Zero Deaths” TZD.

This prestigious award recognizes an individual or individuals who have shown exceptional leadership in efforts to improve traffic safety in Minnesota, build partnerships, and mentor others in the field. Recipients of this yearly award have demonstrated a long term passion, dedication, and commitment to reducing the number of deaths and injuries resulting from crashes on Minnesota roads.

Sharon received this award because she has dedicated more than 26 years to improving traffic safety in Minnesota, including her work with Minnesotans for Safe Driving and MADD. She has promoted legislation involving Ignition Interlock, felony DWI, forfeiture, and vehicle impoundment; worked extensively as a victim advocate and with victim impact panels; and provided training opportunities to law enforcement and first responders. Over the years, Sharon has partnered with law enforcement, the Office of Traffic Safety, the Minnesota Legislature, the courts and many others to keep the public informed on traffic safety issues.

Sharon has received numerous awards for her dedication to traffic safety and the victims caused by unsafe driving. Her past awards are:
2008 Forst Lowery Award from the DWI Taskforce
2007 Kosiak Award for outstanding victim advocacy from the Office of Justice Programs
MN. Public Safety Award from North Memorial Hospital
Certificate of Appreciation from the Minnesota State Patrol
Woman of Achievement Award from the Twin Cities Chamber of Commerce

Victims of Traffic Crashes Express Thanks to those working diligently 
to eliminate traffic deaths and injuries
May 26, 2010

Minnesotans for Safe Driving (MSD) is commemorating 10 years of service to Minnesota. To mark the anniversary, survivors and family members of crash victims thanked local law enforcement, the courts and the Star Tribune.

Every person affected first hand by impaired driving wants no one else to feel the pain and despair caused by drunk driving crashes. MSD hopes with the combined efforts of law enforcement, the courts and media that public attitudes will change and drunk driving will no longer be tolerated. To mark its ten-year anniversary, MSD members who have been touched personally by impaired driving wanted to express their appreciation to those who have gone above and beyond to help protect our roadways

Those being Honored:
Star Tribune Newspaper for its SMASHED series
Hennepin County DWI Court & Beltrami DWI Court
Minnesota State Patrol for its newA Guide for Grieving Familiesbrochure
Night Cap & Safe & Sober Programs by
Rice County’s MOD SQUAD
Anoka County’s DWI Task Force Patrol
Ramsey County’s DWI Patrol
Hennepin County Sheriff’s Department & the Minneapolis Police Department
that works with the DWI court in checking the clients
Jean Ryan, Office of Traffic Safety, for her work with Ignition Interlock
Jody Oscarson, DPS for her close work with MSD
Jason Gehrman Roseville Police & Gab Lee Blaine Police

Lt. Mike Shortreed, Maplewood P.D.  receiving award from Nancy Johnson  for his department's efforts with the Anoka DWI Taskforce

Volunteer Laurie Niemann Pederson giving an award

Standing, left to right: Sheriff Rich Stanek, John Ciaciura, Kelli
Ciaciura, Lt. Steve Burke, KeLan Ciaciura, Cathy Ciaciura, Deputy
Eric Johnson, Deputy Jeff Biebl, Deputy Steve Bailey, Sgt. Lyle
Perreault, Sgt. Dan Antisdel. Kneeling: Deputy Ethan Weinzierl
(with K-9 Razor) and Deputy Dave Higgins.

Kelli’s grief was aggravated by what she describes as a series of disappointments in the justice system. The man who killed Lance was convicted on several charges including careless driving, improper change of lanes, and failure to yield the right of way. His 90-day sentence was suspended – he didn’t have to serve the time if he completed court orders, including paying restitution to the victim’s family and completing 100 hours of community service. But the convicted driver frequently disregarded the court’s orders. Kelli and Lance’s parents felt as if they had been victimized again, this time by a system that couldn’t seem to find a way to hold the driver responsible. Time and time again, the family attended court hearings only to be disappointed.

Finally, months later, a judge issued a warrant for the driver’s arrest. The Sheriff’s Office Warrant Unit assigned Deputy Eric Johnson to the case. Johnson, a 28-year veteran of the agency, followed leads and showed persistence in searching for the convicted driver. In January 2004, Johnson arrested him. Lance Ciaciura’s family views that day as a turning point for them. “Something is getting done. Finally, something has happened,” said Cathy Ciaciura, Lance’s mother. Though the family was grateful to the Warrants Unit, their grief was still raw. It would take many years before they were emotionally ready to express their thanks in a way that would honor Lance.

Five years after Lance was killed, the Ciaciura family held a recognition ceremony at the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office Warrants Unit in Minneapolis. Kelli brought Lance’s daughter, KeLan, who is now five years old. Minnesotans for Safe Driving had assisted the Ciaciura family through the court process and helped them with their grief over the years so they were happy to facilitate this reunion and help the family recognize Deputy Johnson and the Unit.

The group’s director, Sharon Driscoll, said that the feelings of the Ciaciura family are similar to what other victims’ families have experienced. “These families view an arrest in the case as a critical part of the justice system. They know the deputies in the Warrants Unit don’t get the recognition they deserve so we wanted to tell them what they mean to all victims’ families,” said Driscoll. Lance’s mother, Cathy Ciaciura, choked back tears as she presented an inscribed plaque to Deputy Eric Johnson during the ceremony. “We went through so many emotional ups and downs and our hearts were broken,” said Cathy Ciaciura. “You helped us see that there is hope and that justice will prevail. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.” Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek presented a junior deputy badge to KeLan. He explained why the award was inspiring to all of the deputies in the Warrants Unit. “These deputies are relentless in tracking down the bad guys. Even so, their jobs are often frustrating and thankless,” said Sheriff Stanek. “We thank the Ciaciura family and Minnesotans for Safe Driving for reminding everyone in uniform how their work is critical in helping the families of victims

The Ciaciura family