(Photo/Logan Kirkland)
As students and families plan for their Fourth of July weekend activities, the city of Oxford prepares in its own way to reassure the safety of its citizens.
Deputy Chief James Owens of the Oxford Police Department said the Fourth of July is one of the biggest holidays, but just like any other holiday the department focuses on what needs to be accomplished.
“We do kind of change gears,” Owens said. “Patrols will be a little bit more vigilant of motorists.”
Owens said this year the department will have a team of officers coming out and running driver safety checkpoints throughout Oxford to ensure safety. He said they’ll mainly be looking for those who are being distracted while driving, fatigued and those who are intoxicated.
“Those are the biggest cause of accidents,” Owens said. “Those distracted drivers and those drivers that are fatigued.”
Owens said the department is also in charge of the many local activities that will be in action this weekend to make sure they go along smoothly.
“We want everybody to be able to get in safely and get out safely,” Owens said. “Better yet, to get in at a timely manner and get out at a timely manner.”
Owens said even though this is supposed to be a fun weekend for everyone, his biggest concern is for those who may attempt to drive while intoxicated, a trend he’s seen in the past.
“What worries me the most of all (are) drivers who don’t recognize that they are fatigued and those drivers who are using alcohol in excess and (attempting) to get behind the wheel,” he said. “Realize there are a lot more motorists on the road.”
Oxford Fire Chief Cary Sallis said the Fourth of July holiday is just like every other day at the station except for one exception: he and his brigade of firefighters are required monitor the annual fireworks show held at Swayze Field that the city entertains.
“We put trucks and crews out there around the stadium area to stop any spot fires that might arise,” Sallis said. “Especially if we don’t get any rain over here in the next day or two.”
Sallis said that fireworks inside the city limits are prohibited, but if you are going to use fireworks outside of the city limits, do so with caution.
“Always have an adult present,” Sallis said. “I just want everybody to be safe.”
Owens encourages citizens to take into consideration the conditions and what the experts advise to the public when dealing with fireworks.
“I just urge citizens to pay close attention to your local fire department and their local EMA,” Owens said. “Look out, and if they said that it’s too dry for fireworks, take that to heart. Fireworks can start fires.”
Both Owens and Sallis agreed that it is important for both departments to work hand in hand in order to better serve their citizens.
“It’s always an essential element that we work together as a team,” Owens said.
“We rely on each other,” Sallis said.
Fritz Valerio, a senior math major, said he believes that the Fourth of July is a big weekend for both students and citizens alike. He said other than having fun, safety should be everyones number one priority for this weekend.
“Safety is important everywhere on July fourth because of the hazards of using fireworks and the citizens feel liberated to drink for this holiday,” Valerio said. “Those two don’t mix well if not handled with decent care.”
Valerio said the police department and fire department will definitely be needed this weekend and he’s glad they are going to be ready and alert, because they are the ones helping everyone in need.
“Oxford police and fire department play a big role in Oxford this weekend, because accidents are bound to happen,” Valerio said.
Sallis said this is a weekend that everyone looks forward to and should be a time for fun, but it is important to be smart and not careless.
“I just want everybody to have a good, safe weekend,” Sallis said.
