Published: November 16, 2009 09:04 am      

OHP plans to turn up the HEAT in i-35 motorists

Planning to travel north in the next week weeks?

Be prepared for some scrutiny from law enforcement.

Like their counterparts in Texas, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol periodically launches crackdowns on motorists who break the law. OHP’s latest endeavor is called Operation HEAT (High Enforcement Action Team).

Operation HEAT is designed to saturate an area with OHP troopers and to conduct high enforcement operations during a selected period.

The projects are apparently a success.

Last Wednesday, thirteen troopers focused enforcement efforts in Johnston and Pontotoc counties where officers issued 60 warnings, 31 citations and arrested five people for a variety of criminal law violations.

One custodial arrest originated from a speeding stop north of Tishomingo during which a suspect’s name was entered into the National Crime Information Computer (NCIC).

The individual — a Missouri resident — was taken into custody.

Business was even better in Pontotoc County.

Troopers issued 90 warnings, 37 citations and took four people into custody for various criminal violations.

Big rigs didn’t escape the concentrated effort.

Troopers assigned to Commercial Motor Vehicle Enforcement conducted 14 inspections, putting two commercial vehicles out of service and issuing 11 citations and 9 warnings to commercial vehicles.

Operation HEAT will begin in each county of Troop F on a regular basis, we take traffic safety very serious and are committed to making the road safer for the motoring public, said OHP Captain Ronnie Hampton, Troop Commander of Troop F in Ardmore. Operation HEAT is set to begin in Carter and Love counties later in the month.

"During these operations the patrol will utilize driver license and vehicle safety checkpoints to insure that all vehicles are properly equipped and in good working order, in addition we will be arresting people that do not have a valid license to drive and impounding their vehicles", said Hampton.

"It is every person’s responsibility to ensure that their vehicles are roadworthy and that they have a valid license to drive."

Troop F covers Love, Carter, Murray, Garvin, Pontotoc and Johnston counties.