Over the course of the last four nights, the Portland Police Bureau teamed up with numerous law enforcement partners through the Metro Area Traffic Enforcement Collaboration (MATEC) to conduct high visibility traffic missions. Statistics for all of the partner agencies indicate that 1,213 total traffic stops were conducted. Of those, 730 traffic citations were issued, and 925 warnings were given. In addition, 85 people were arrested, including 58 impaired drivers. Most of the tickets were written for speeding violations (416). The second most common citation was related to lane misuse (289).
PPB would like to thank its MATEC partners for working hard to ensure a safe holiday weekend in the metro area.
###PPB###
Original Message Below*
Put the Luck of the Irish on your Side: Don’t Drive Impaired
UPDATE: Officers are reporting in the after the first shift of the Metro Area Traffic Enforcement Collaboration (MATEC) on Friday night. Preliminary statistics for all of the partner agencies indicate that at least 260 traffic stops were conducted, and of those 172 traffic citations were served and 220 warnings were given. Eleven people were arrested, including 7 impaired drivers. Most of the tickets were written for speeding violations (111). The second most common citation was related to lane misuse (62).
PPB was honored to host a news conference on the effort on Friday alongside many of our partner agencies. You can view the full press conference here.
The enforcement effort will continue through the St. Patrick's Day holiday on Monday. Please, if you are drinking or using intoxicating substances, do not drive. Again, celebrate St. Patrick’s Day responsibly with PBOT’s Safe Ride Home program. If you do drive, do so safely!
###PPB###
***Original Message Below***
The Portland Police Bureau is teaming up with state, county, and local law enforcement partners to conduct high-visibility enforcement missions through St. Patrick’s Day.
To ensure community safety, and to prevent needless tragedies to loved ones within our community, PPB is partnering with the Metro Area Traffic Enforcement Collaboration (MATEC) to conduct high-visibility DUII missions that will begin on the evening of Friday, March 14, 2025, and end on the morning of Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Law enforcement partners involved in the missions aim to reduce fatal and serious injury crashes by focusing on the SOLID enforcement priorities: Speed, Occupant Safety, Lane Usage, Impaired Driving, and Distracted Driving.
A similar operation conducted around St. Patrick’s Day in 2024 resulted in more than 1,600 traffic stops, 950 citations, and 75 arrests connected to speeding, impaired driving, and distracted driving.
The hope is that everyone will enjoy this year's St. Patrick's Day celebrations responsibly. Please continue to identify designated drivers, use mass transit, taxis, or rideshare services. If you choose to drink or ingest other intoxicants, please do so responsibly and remember that buzzed driving is drunk driving. Support zero tolerance for impaired driving. Please report suspected impaired drivers to 911.
PPB and other law enforcement agencies are committed to working with partners in government and the community to create safer streets; working towards reducing, and eventually eliminating, traffic fatalities as part of Vision Zero efforts.
Make plans for your safety, as well as others, and enjoy the upcoming festivities.