Branson Police Approved to Seek Funding to Better Fight Intoxicated Driving and Speeding

The Branson Police Department can apply for two grants now, thanks to a vote by the Board of Aldermen.

The request for approval of the action was made during Tuesday night's Board of Aldermen meeting. The first grant comes from the Missouri Department of Transportation and will help fight intoxicated driving. Branson Police Chief Eric Schmitt commented on the importance of the grant.

Schmitt explained that it will enable the police department to give officers overtime pay, thus having additional police presence on the streets at times when impaired driving is more likely.

"Specifically, you'll see us boost our number of officers out during Saint Patty's Day, New Year's Eve and the more common times," he said. The chief included weekends as a time more officers will go out.

Schmitt said the grant will reimburse the department for the overtime. It won't take away from the police force on the streets but make use of other officers.

Later, the board gave the Branson Police Department approval to seek grant funding that will allow them to fight hazardous driving and buy radar gear. This grant is also from the state's transportation department. This specific one totals to $14,040.00.

The Branson police chief said it will help in areas speeding is more prevalent. One of those areas is Branson Landing Boulevard.

The grant reimburses the department for overtime like the other one does.