Holiday crime, accidents at a minimum

It turns out that Sidney residents were on the “good list” this holiday season, according to Sidney Police Major Joe Aikens.

Aikens said that around the holidays there tends to be a pretty prominent increase in domestic violence cases. This holiday season however there were barely any in the Sidney area.

“I don’t think we have even had one,” Aikens said. “We had a couple little disturbances at bars but nothing in the nature of serious crime.”

This year’s crime rate during the holidays has been a lot better than in previous years, he explained. Only a few minor accidents were reported as the result of snowy road conditions.

“Everybody has been really good this holiday season,” Aikens said.

As New Year’s Eve approaches, Aikens said more police officers will be on the lookout for drunk drivers.

Aikens said that his staff would increase DUI enforcement around New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day seeing as how it tends to be a more alcohol related holiday.

Cheyenne County Sheriff John Jensen also noted that his team would be stepping up the patrol numbers during this upcoming holiday.

“The alcohol related crimes are ones that we take big notice too, especially with the slick roads. We want everyone to get to their destination safely, so we are increasing the patrols,” Jensen said.

Jensen said that his team will be specifically looking for impaired drivers and will be paying close attention to drivers disobeying speed limits and stop signs.

According to statistics from the Nebraska State Patrol, so far in the year 2012 there have been a total of 205 traffic fatalities, 12 occurring in the month of the December.

Jensen warned that drivers should pay careful attention to road snow and ice conditions every time they drive their vehicle, during the holidays or otherwise.

“We have had some fender benders because some people are driving a little bit fast on the conditions, especially where it’s melting in the day a little and freezing back up at night,” Jensen said.

Jensen said that over the holidays Cheyenne County officials as a whole have also seen little reports of domestic violence as well.

“We are trying to make sure that happens as little as it can and this year has been really good. We have had a few reports but for the most part throughout the whole county the crime rate has been pretty calm,” Jensen said.

“We’re just hoping that everybody has a safe and happy New Year’s,” Jensen said.