Local law enforcement honored at the WV Coalfields Highway Safety Program Awards Banquet

PRINCETON, WV (WVNS) – Local sheriff’s departments and officers were honored at the West Virginia Coalfields Highway Safety Program Awards Banquet.

This luncheon was held to celebrate the six counties in Region 8 of the Highway Safety Program, which include Mingo, McDowell, Wyoming, Mercer, Summers, and Monroe Counties.

The officers’ efforts that were applauded encompass law enforcement in DUIs, speeding, seatbelt wearing, child restraint, and distracted driving.

The Region 8 Coordinator, Lieutenant Adam Ballard, told 59News this is a way to show officers that their work is much appreciated.

“What they do when it comes down to saving lives on the roadway is through education and enforcement. We’re the enforcement effort of that. Without that program, you would have people doing crazy, silly things a lot more often than what you see now on the roadway,” said Lieutenant Ballard.

The awards that were being presented reflected statistics and occurrences from the 2023 federal fiscal year.

This banquet was held at the Mercer County Gardner Center.

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