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Tucson police forces work together to keep campus area safe over Labor Day weekend

In response to one of the most dangerous weekends of the year, University of Arizona Police Department, the Tucson Police Department and the Pima County sheriff's forces will work together to keep university area streets free from alcohol-related car accidents.

The Safe Streets Operation, which also includes officers from the South Tucson Police Department, Oro Valley Police Department and Tucson Airport Authority, was designed to discourage further drinking and driving incidents over the Labor Day weekend.

"We know residents are going to drink. We want them to be mature and be responsible," said Deputy James Ogden, a Pima County Sheriff's Department spokesman. "If you're going to drink, bring along a designated driver."

Much like the DUI Task Force that was implemented over last summer's Memorial Day weekend, officers throughout the entire Tucson community will be watching for drunk drivers.

Ogden explained that the Safe Streets program was designed to keep the community safe, not merely to catch drunk drivers. However, he warned that there will be absolutely no tolerance for unlawful activity.

"It is typically a family fun and party weekend," Ogden said. "We don't want to interfere with this, but we also want the streets to be safe for everybody."

The specific region supported by the Safe Streets program surrounds the university area. While the area includes many university residents, it was chosen with the entire Tucson community in mind.

"It has nothing to do with the students," said Sgt. Michael Smith, a UAPD spokesman. "It just so happens that the university is part of the area."

Smith also said that the high volume of motorists in the area was the main attribution to this weekend's Safe Streets location.