By 
The Watertown Police Department issues an annual report each year jam-packed with statistics from the previous year. This year’s report, which covered 2024, was 30-pages long and included thousands of numbers, but one figure stood out: 304.
That was the number of arrests for driving under the influence in Watertown during the year. It was a 35 percent increase from 2023 and 22 percent more than the five-year average for the number of DUI arrests.
And it was a number that made WPD officers sit up and take notice.
“When our annual report comes out,” said Patrol Capt. Ryan Beauchamp, “we go through it with a fine-tooth comb to see where our challenges are, and one of the areas of concern we identified was the number of arrests for driving while intoxicated.”
In response, the department has launched a new initiative to combat impaired driving on city roadways. It’s called “Keep Watertown’s Streets Safe – Your Best Route Home is a Sober One!” The name of the program was the brainchild of Chief Tim Toomey and Assistant Chief Ryan Remmers, but everyone is on board with its goal.
The campaign aims to reduce impaired driving incidents and promote responsible decision-making. It will be implemented immediately and will involve more than just the WPD, Beauchamp said.
“We will work with other agencies, partnering with agencies such as the Human Services Agency; the Highway Patrol, the Codington Sheriff’s Office, the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Department, and anybody that deals with impaired driving and its impacts.”
In a media release announcing the initiation, WPD officials said: “Impaired driving is a dangerous and preventable crime that threatens the safety of everyone on the road. We’re committed to doing everything we can to protect our community”
Beauchamp said the department will use education, community partnerships, and increased enforcement in its effort curb the incidents of impaired driving and ensure that people make the safe choice to drive sober.
As part of the initiative, the Watertown Police Department will:
- Launch public education campaigns: Through local media, social media, and community outreach, the department will provide information on the dangers of impaired driving and encourage the use of designated drivers, taxis, and rideshare services.
- Collaborate with community partners: The WPD will partner with local organizations, schools, businesses, to spread awareness, provide resources, and strengthen community support against impaired driving.
- Increase enforcement: The department will step up DUI patrols, and other law enforcement measures aimed at catching impaired drivers before they cause harm. These increased efforts will be visible throughout the city during high-risk times.
“We are calling on every driver in Watertown to make responsible choices,” the release said. “Whether you’re going out for a night on the town or coming home from work, getting behind the wheel impaired is never worth the risk.”
The Watertown Police Department said it is committed to the effort, but added the support and involvement of every community member are essential in making the initiative a success.
