Policing in the winter when road conditions are rough
WARREN COUNTY, Ky. – The snow changes everything, law enforcement practices included.
News 40 rode along with the Warren County Sheriff’s Office to talk a little bit about how the job changes based on outside factors. According to deputies, weather affects the type of calls they receive.
Deputies told the station it overall becomes more of a “welfare check” situation when we are facing such low temperatures, as well as snow-covered and icy roads. More calls populate the scanner concerning abandoned vehicles, motorists who slid off the road and requests to check on older adults who might be living alone.
Deputies stress how important it is to have supplies in your car in case of emergency.
One deputy, Joshua Wright, saw a woman who had a flat tire on his patrol. After engaging with her, he discovered she was actually on her way back to Chicago, Illinois from Nashville, Tennessee. The deputy said the woman was on a college tour when she hit something on the interstate. The deputy stopped to help her change her tire, saving her at least another hour of waiting for help.
During News 40’s ride along with a deputy, the deputy approached a truck versus fence incident while on patrol, potentially caused by slick road conditions. The motorist and passenger said they were going slow around the curve at the time of the accident.
However, responding to accidents during winter weather is only part of a deputy’s work.
In addition, if you find yourself in need of a warm place during current conditions, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office is offering to transport people to warming centers. You can call the WCSO at 270-843-1633 at extensions #3. Warming centers and their hours are listed here.
