Americans will soon celebrate the birth and freedoms of this country during Independence Day, and BNPD wants to emphasize the need to ensure a sober way home from your festivities. The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, supported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), will take place surrounding the holiday. Citizens should expect to see increased enforcement on the roads and zero tolerance for impaired driving.

Lt. Don Robertson of BNPD said the campaign is a way for the department to further protect the residents of Benton and surrounding areas.

“It’s essential that our community members understand the risks of drinking and driving, along with other types of impaired driving,” he said. It’s never acceptable to get behind the wheel of a vehicle after you’ve been drinking or consuming other intoxicants. Doing so endangers you and everyone on the road with you.”

NHTSA documented 10,142 people killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2019 that involved alcohol-impaired drivers. Additionally, alcohol impairment among drivers was responsible for 38 percent of the 515 lives lost in 2019 nighttime July 4^th holiday crashes.

“Have a designated sober driver if you plan to consume alcohol,” said Robertson. “If you don’t have a designated driver, call a taxi or a friend to pick you up, and always remember to buckle up. Also, if you see a drunk driver on the road, always call 911.”

For more information on impaired driving, visit https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving or call the Arkansas Highway Safety Office at 501-618-8136.

Pictured L to R: Asst. Chief Jeff Besancon, Ofc. Bobby Jones Jr., Ofc. Zachary Wisenor, Ofc. Jessica Seewald, Ofc. Victoria Hernandez, Ofc. Jamol Jones & Capt. Eric Haworth

Benton Police Department congratulates five officers upon graduating today from the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy in Camden, Ark. Victoria Hernandez, Bobby Jones Jr., Jamol Jones, Jessica Seewald and Zachary Wisenor all join the ranks of BNPD’s patrol unit.

During their academy session, they completed training in defensive tactics, academics, firearms, physical fitness and more.

In addition to these accomplishments, Officer Jamol Jones served as class leader, Officer Victoria Hernandez served as squad leader and Officer Bobby Jones Jr. placed second in physical fitness.

“We are very proud to have every one of these officers on our force,” said BNPD Chief Scotty Hodges, “and we look forward to working alongside them to keep our community safe.”

The officers will now participate in a 12-week Field Training program with BNPD.

Applications are being accepted now through Sept. 27 at 5 p.m. for anyone interested in becoming an officer with BNPD. Applicant testing will take place Oct. 1. More details are available at www.bentonpolice.org.

For general department information, visit www.bentonpolice.org or contact BNPD at 501-776-5948 between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The Benton Police Department is releasing the attached information pursuant to Act 1953 of 1999 and guidelines provided by the Sex Offender Assessment Committee established by that law.

The individual who appears on the attached Fact Sheet has been convicted of an offense that requires registration with the Arkansas Crime Information Center.  THIS INDIVIDUAL IS NOT WANTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AT THIS TIME.  No action on your part is required other than the type of alertness and caution that increases the safety of individuals, families, neighborhoods and communities.  Should you observe suspicious behavior on the part of this individual, do not take action on your own, but immediately notify law enforcement.  Secrecy is the friend of sex offenders.

This notification is not intended to cause alarm.  Nor may you use this information to intimidate or harass the person identified.  Harassment of any individual is against the law.  We all are better protected if this individual makes a successful adjustment and maintains control over deviant sexual impulses.  Abuse of this notification could threaten the whole process.

If you feel you need further information about the dynamics of sex offending, you may contact the Arkansas Commission on Child Abuse, Rape and Domestic Violence, 4301 W. Markham, Slot 606, Little Rock, AR 72205. Also you can explore the following links for further information: http://www.acic.org/soff/index.php, http://www.mapsexoffenders.com/index.asp, http://www.familywatchdog.us

Respectfully,

Scotty Hodges
Chief of Police

Arkansas Criminal Code

# 5-71-208    HARASSMENT

A person commits the offense of Harassment if, with the purpose to harass, annoy or alarm another person, without good cause, he:

1.    Strikes, shoves, kicks, or otherwise touches a person, subjects him to offensive physical contact or attempts or threatens to do so.

2.    In a public place, directs obscene language or makes an obscene gesture to or at another person in a manner likely to provoke a violent response.

3.    Follows a person about in a public place.

4.    In a public place repeatedly insults, taunts or challenges another in a manner likely to provoke a violent or disorderly response.

5.    Engages in conduct or repeatedly commits acts that alarm or seriously annoy another person and that serve no legitimate purpose.

6.    Places the person under surveillance by remaining present outside his or her school, place of employment, vehicle or another place occupied by that person or resident, other than the residence of the defendant for no other purpose than to harass, annoy or alarm.

# 5-38-204    CRIMINAL MISCHIEF IN THE 2ND DEGREE

A person commits Criminal Mischief in the 2nd degree if he:

1.    Recklessly destroys or damages any property of another.

2.    Purposely tampers with any property of another, thereby causing substantial
inconveniences to the owner or some other person.

Benton Police Department will join forces with other Saline County law enforcement agencies from 4:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday, June 7 at Colton’s Steakhouse, located at 1925 Landers Road in Benton, to raise funds for Special Olympics Arkansas via the annual Tip-A-Cop event.

Officers will don their aprons as servers, accompanied by Colton’s wait staff to ensure quality, and tips collected throughout the evening will support the year-round Special Olympics Arkansas events for athletes.

“This has really become a signature event since its start in 2007 for everyone involved with Special Olympics Arkansas,” said Captain Kevin Russell. “It means a lot to officers, athletes and customers, and many friendships have formed throughout the years. Plus, it’s your one chance a year to give officers orders, so it’s a lot of fun for everyone.”

He added that customers will also have the opportunity to interact with Captain America and Wonder Woman from 6 p.m. on as well as the option to throw a friend or family member in mock jail at the restaurant throughout the evening.

“For $5, an officer will come to your table, lead the ‘offender’ to the jail cell and take their mug shot, which the friend or family member will be able to share or download from social media. Good behavior will allow them to return to their table.”

More than anything else, organizers say the community support is priceless.

“The athletes always look forward to seeing the officers and they always bond with them,” said Paula Calhoun, field representative for Special Olympics Arkansas Area 10. “Saline County has always been very supportive of the athletes, and I know I can always count on the local officers when we need things done.”

For more information about Tip-A-Cop, call Colton’s Steakhouse at 501-778-6100 or BNPD at 501-776-5948. Visit www.specialolympicsarkansas.org for additional ways to get involved with Special Olympics Arkansas.