News Editor

Published Sept. 5, 1999

Local police officers from Troy and Brundidge recently attended "Hands Across the Border 1999."

"Hands Across the Border" is a joint effort between the law enforcement communities of the states of Alabama, Florida and Georgia intended to focus attention toward safe driving during the Labor Day holiday weekend. The effort was sponsored by the Southeast Alabama Emergency Medical Services Council Inc.

"The main idea of Hands Across the Border is to increase awareness about seat belt and child restraint usage, DUI enforcement and general safe driving throughout the Labor Day holiday weekend," said Sgt. Benny Scarbrough, administrative assistant to the Troy Chief of Police.

Scarbrough and Lt. Vance Ventress of the Troy Police Department, and Patrol Officer Barrett Tew of the Brundidge Police Department attended the conference to represent Pike County.

The officers from Pike County met other Alabama, Georgia and Florida officers at the Alabama Welcome Center on U.S. Highway 231 South of Dothan at the Florida State Line for a press conference. The officers rode in a caravan to the Florida Welcome Center, running emergency lights, to complete the press conference.

"We participated in the conference to promote buckling up and using child safety restraints," said Scarbrough.