Highway Enforcement Awareness Team

The Highway Enforcement Awareness Team was formed in March of 2005. Funding for this Unit was provided by the Governor’s Highway Safety Program. The Unit consists of one supervisor, five deputies and three canines. The Unit is under the direct supervision of the Chief Deputy.

This Traffic Safety Unit was formed to address the concerns of safety on our roadways in Sampson County. These concerns are more than just traffic related issues but also include criminal issues as well. As studies have shown, statistically 85-90% of crime involves a motor vehicle. Pro-active traffic enforcement is the first line of defense against crime. With the presence of this unit on our streets it will deter numerous crimes while creating public awareness. At the same time this presence will reduce traffic crashes.

H.E.A.T. officers are highly motivated and extensively trained in the areas related to traffic enforcement. All officers are certified in:

• RADAR
• Intoxilizer
• DCI
• Standard Field Sobriety Testing
• Child Passenger Safety Technician
• Drug Enforcement
• Other certifications pertaining to their job

These officers are equipped with state of the art equipment to compliment these unique job skills. The equipment was also provided by a grant from the Governor’s Highway Safety Program.

The team’s main focus is the Awareness level. As we know, our children are our most precious resources. The team conducts several educational seminars to help make children and parents more aware of the dangers associated with motor vehicle safety. Throughout each year the team participates in several Child Seat Clinics. The team is one of the founding members of the newly formed chapter of Safe Kids Sampson County. The team also participates in state programs such as “Booze it & Loose it”, “Click it or Ticket”, and is active with the local MADD Chapter. H.E.A.T. conducts sobriety checkpoints several times a year and seatbelt checkpoints several times a month. These checkpoints not only provide the much needed enforcement of traffic safety issues, but also provide valuable information related to crimes committed in and around these checkpoint areas. Checkpoints conducted by the team normally produce persons that are wanted locally, statewide, and by other states.