PECATONICA, Ill. — Illinois State Police (ISP) District 16 Commander, Captain Joseph Blanchette, announced the results of Occupant Restraint Enforcement Patrols (OREP) held in Stephenson and Winnebago County during April. These OREPs provided extra patrol coverage for the ISP so officers could focus on saving lives by making sure all vehicle occupants were buckled up.

There were 32 safety belt violations and two child restraint citations. There were 30 total written warnings and 51 total citations issued.

Most motorists know safety belts save lives, but some ignore their safety and that of their families by neglecting to use safety belts and child restraint devices. These patrols reinforce the occupant protection message by focusing on those who ignore the law. Lives can be saved if people simply “buckle up”. This project is funded through the Illinois Department of Transportation.