Staff report

CANFIELD — Members of the Mahoning County OVI Task Force, in collaboration with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, had to cut short one aspect of its checkpoint Friday night in Austintown because of dangerously high winds.

Saturation patrols took place 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., but the checkpoint in the area of 4477 Mahoning Ave. was shut down at 11 p.m.

The task force released results of the checkpoint Monday, showing that its members achieved some of its goals Friday despite the weather and showed its sense of humor.

“The decision to shut down (the checkpoint) early was made after officers engaged in a foot pursuit in an effort to apprehend the ODOT arrow board sign that was blowing down Mahoning Avenue,” the release states.

During the one hour that the checkpoint was operating, 67 vehicles passed through, but no vehicles were directed into the diversion area for further investigation, the news release states.

Enforcement activity associated with the checkpoints and saturation patrol was as follows: three arrests for OVI, two citations for driving under suspension, one summons for no operator’s license, three citations for adult restraint, four citations for speed and one citation for distracted driving. One individual was also arrested on three felony counts of drug abuse.

“The Mahoning County OVI Task Force is committed to making the roadways in Mahoning County safer and will remain vigilant in enforcing the impaired driving laws throughout the county,” the release states.

The task force is funded by a federal grant administered through the Ohio Department of Public Safety. Task force agencies participating in the checkpoint included the police departments in Austintown, Boardman, Canfield, Goshen, Jackson, Milton and Springfield, as well as the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office and Mill Creek MetroParks police.