Even the dogs got into the act when the McKinley County Sheriff’s Office participated in the annual Mothers Against Drunk Driving Saturation Saturday event Aug. 28 at a Navajo, N.M. checkpoint on Route 12.
A law enforcement presence was requested in the area and MCSO checked 167 vehicles for sobriety and even a few dogs without collars.
It all evolved out of a visit to the Navajo Housing Authority which had scheduled trainings for its members.
Undersheriff James Maiorano III spoke with community members about neighborhood watch and enforcement issues in the community. His visit was followed by another from Lieutenant Monty Yazzie and Deputy Jeff Barnhurst who spoke about gang prevention.
That’s when they heard complaints about speeders and possible drunk drivers.
Maiorano said they would return in the near future for a joint checkpoint. It happened on Aug. 28 when MADD hosted a saturation event on Route 12 in Navajo, N.M.
A majority of those working the checkpoint are cross-commissioned with the Navajo Nation.
Maiorano told the Sun that there were eight to 10 pooches on the loose in the area. They were not captured.
Freebies given away at the event included T-shirts, pencil bags, backpacks and pens with ENDWI and DWI Task Force messages for young passengers.
Those participating in the joint event included Maiorano, Lieutenant Eric Jim, Lieutenant Monty Yazzie, Sergeant Tammy Houghtaling and Deputy Terence Willie
