Liberty County Sheriff Steve Sikes said he wanted to ensure citizens had a safe Fourth of July weekend. His department’s patrol unit was out in force the evening of July 3 and throughout the holiday weekend at various checkpoints throughout the county.

Assisting deputies were officers with Georgia State Patrol, Long County Sheriff’s Office, Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, and other surrounding law enforcement agencies.

“These safety checkpoints help each of us safely arrive at our destinations by getting drivers who shouldn’t be driving off the road,” Sikes said, noting that several arrests for drug possession, suspended driver’s license and driving under the influence were made.

Capt. David Edwards reported that motorists passing through checkpoints were checked for safety-belt compliance, vehicle equipment and driver condition.

Child-passenger-safety technicians also participated and found more than 20 seats to be expired or not properly installed.
“These safety checkpoints are conducted periodically through the year to help ensure our citizens are safe,” Sikes said.