Police receive new alcohol sensors

Police Chief Julie Mathews had contacted the Injury Prevention Services and asked if there was any availability of assistance through their services against alcohol intoxication or drivers under the influence. Mathews explained that their alcohol sensors were very old, outdated and broken and were in great need of replacement. 

Jen Cheney of the Hot Springs County Injury Prevention Services Department was able to help and they donated eight brand new alcohol sensors to the Thermopolis Police Department. The sensors are called ALCO PROs and all calibrated and ready to use in the field. 

Cheney is the community prevention coordinator through Hot Springs County School District #1.  Each alcohol sensor kit costs off the shelf at $525 each. 

Chief Mathews said, "It was awesome to get everybody new sensors. Not only are these sensors used for drunk drivers but also for minors in possession and juvenile programs. "It's been really outstanding for them to provide us the opportunity of these for further education, like the TIPS training. They supported that program and I was able to send two officers to the TIPS program." TIPS is the Training for Intervention ProcedureS. It's a global leader in education and training for the responsible service, sale and consumption of alcohol. 

Mathews explained, "A lot of businesses that serve alcohol, their employees are TIPS trained so they know how to ID and recognize underage drinking or if someone has had too much alcohol to drive to not serve them." 

The alcohol sensors were donated prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.