The Governor’s Highway Safety Program continues to assist the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office, Chief Field Deputy Mark Shelton reports. Thanks to the program, the Sheriff’s Office recently received six new Dell laptop computers and three new Preliminary Breath Tests. The tests will help to identify drunk drivers. The laptops will help expedite paperwork.
“We’ll be able to put the laptops in the cruisers and do the lengthy accident reports on the scene,” Shelton said. “The department will also use them for criminal complaints, the racial profiling mandated by the State and for other paper work.”
In addition to the laptops and PBTs, Shelton said the Governor’s Highway Safety Program provides funding to help pay for overtime for officers to work on DUIs patrols and on seatbelt checks.

Shelton is pictured here displaying one of the new laptops and a PBT kit. (Photo by Cathy Patton)