The number of drunken driving cases filed in the county’s five lower courts has declined in the past two years, leading some in law enforcement and awareness advocates to cautiously state that fewer people are getting behind the wheel while under the influence.

Still others point out the trend is a symptom of a struggling economy that has slashed funding for targeted OVI enforcement while fewer officers patrol the streets.

In Middletown Municipal Court, OVI cases declined from 565 in 2008 to 548 in 2009 to 358 last year. Hamilton Municipal Court cases have steadily declined from 644 in 2008 to 549 in 2009 to 440 in 2010.

Fairfield Municipal Court cases dropped dramatically from 691 in 2008 to 493 in 2009 and 442 in 2010.

Earlier this year, the Ohio State Highway Patrol released county by county OVI statistics, which showed OVI-related arrests were down in Butler County from 860 in 2009 to 738 in 2010. But that number is the fourth highest in the state, behind Franklin, Lorain and Montgomery counties.

The patrol had vowed to refocus on impaired driving arrests this year, said Lt. Tony Bradshaw.

Federal funding for highway safety grants specifically for alcohol enforcement in Ohio also has declined since 2008 when the state received $4,885,735. That funding has since been cut, according José Alberto Uclés of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

There have been budget cuts, Uclés said. Sadly that funding is no longer there. However, Ohio still receives grant funding for highway safety projects, but it is up to the individual states to determine how the money is used.

Statewide, the grant funding for OVI enforcement has actually risen from $1,601,373.93 in 2009 to $1,710,815.12 in 2010 to 1,974,952.28 in 2011, according to the Ohio Department of Public Safety.

Locally, the Butler County OVI Task Force, which joins the efforts of several area agencies to hold checkpoints and targeted enforcement throughout the year, also has received increased funding. In 2009, $145,396.35 in state grant money was awarded to the task force; $151,080.69 in 2010 and $176,823.83 in 2011.

Hamilton police Sgt. Steven M. Henderson, one of the participating task force agencies, said he believes enforcement and even the economy has contributed to the decline in local OVI cases.

I do think gas prices may have something to do with it, Henderson said. When it is $4, I don’t think people are driving as much for anything.

Butler County Deputy Chief Anthony Dwyer, said it is hard to point to one reason when looking at trend statistics for any crime.

It is a collective effort from various groups that his chipping away at the problem, Dwyer said.

He pointed to better education of young people who are now growing into adults with different attitudes about drinking and driving.

It is now viewed as a public nuisance, Dwyer said, But I can remember 15 years ago people thought as long as you didn’t hurt anyone, then who cares.

Dwyer said he does not believe cuts in manpower in many area departments is reducing the number of cases, but said it is possible people are not driving as much.

Hamilton police Chief Neil Ferdelman said he does believe the economy has had an effect on the numbers.

You can see a trend, Ferdelman said. It used to be there were bars on every corner. Now they are few and far between, but there are drive-throughs on every corner. More people are drinking at home. It is a symptom of the economy.

While budget cuts mean fewer officers on the street, OVI offenses are one area where Hamilton officers will continue to be vigilant, the chief said.

A lot of people say the checkpoints are a waste of time, Ferdelman said. But if one impaired person is taken off the street, I believe it is well worth it.

Longtime Middletown attorney Paris Ellis defends a number of clients charged with OVI.

I don’t believe that for a minute, Ellis said when asked if fewer people are driving impaired, but Ellis said he does believe fewer officers may be a factor, along with the economy.

Bar owners I know, say business is down, Ellis said. People have less disposable income and are electing to stay home and drink.

Ellis said he also has fewer clients, because due to finances people are often willing to go it alone in court or meet the criteria for indigent defense.

In his 17 years on the bench, Middletown Municipal Court Judge Mark Wall has ruled on hundreds of OVI cases. He has noticed a drop in the number of cases.

I don’t really know why. I think it is a combination of things, said Wall, who noted police spread thin and may have to focus enforcement elsewhere.

I would like to think all the education about not drink and driving has made a difference, said Wall, who regularly participates in a mock OVI crash and trial during prom week at local high schools. I am sure it has made a difference, but I also think people are staying home instead of going out.

Andrea Rehkamp, one of the founder of Mothers Against Drunk Driving Southwestern Ohio Office, said Ohio has seen fewer deaths and injuries in recent years due to drunk driving crashes, but there are still too many.

Similar Posts:

Share