EPCSO OPERATION PLAN FOR JULY 4TH 2010
I. Purpose
With the upcoming July Fourth festivities, traffic in the East 
Montana area and its roadways (as documented in past years) is expected to increase significantly during the periods beginning at about 7:00 PM on Sunday, July 4th & ending at about 12:00 AM Monday July 5th. In order to provide a quick response and insure public safety to all who are attending the festivities, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division will be increasing its patrols within the East Montana areas during the dates & times listed above to ensure public safety, maintain the peace, prevent traffic tie-ups, move illegally parked vehicles, and protect private and public properties from damages during the celebration.
II. Mission
The mission of the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office is to reduce accidents & provide a safety zone by increasing our visibility and encouraging drivers to slow down while driving through the effected areas, as well as enforcing firework safety around others during this time period.
Our Deputies will be monitoring the event as well as identifying & arresting law violators to minimize the risk to the public and motorists.
III. Geography
Far East Montana Ave is located in Far east El Paso County, TX. Montana Avenue is a 
heavily traveled four lane roadway with two lanes running east and two lanes running west. It is surrounded by residences and businesses throughout the area. The areas in which we will be concentrating in will be between the 12,400 block of Montana, east to the 16,250 block, some 6.6 miles of open desert, side roads, businesses, and residential areas. The area in which we will be patrolling has been broken down into four zones, A, B, C, and D, each with their own specific problems. (see below)
IV. History
Each year thousands of citizens of El Paso escape from the City limits where fireworks are
illegal and find their way out to the rural areas of east Montana to purchase fireworks and celebrate the fourth of July with their party activities. This has a positive effect to the surrounding areas where traffic and the population triples during this time. Last year, the fourth of July fell on a Friday and the area seen an increase of 6,000 to 8,000 thousand spectators as well as 4,500 hundred vehicles come into this 6.6 miles of roadway. Last year’s Computer Aided Dispatch Log (CAD) reported over 110 calls for service and police actions during the one day celebration which included; loud music, subjects disturbing, DWI’s, fires, fights, motor vehicle accidents, etc. With the Fourth being on a Sunday, we could expect the same type of activities in the area.
V. Execution
The Patrol Division along with other specialized units will conduct traffic enforcement 
by working solely on traffic issues and spectator control in the area as well as responding to calls in progress. Other Patrol units will consist of Sheriff’s Office four wheel drive SUV’s to respond into the desert areas if needed. Deputies will concentrate on strict enforcement of hazardous violations, seatbelts violations and alcohol related violations.
Assigned Zones:
| Zone A:  Leo Samaniego Law Enforcement Complex East to Zaragoza (12,400 block to the 13,600 block, 2.5 miles) This is a minimum populated area. Patrols will still be assigned to this area. 
| Zone B:  Zaragoza East to Desert Meadows (13,600 block to the 14,696 block, 2.6 miles) This zone is rated as maximum mainly because it has several firework stands and will be the second most congested area during the event. This is the only zone where fireworks may be sold. It also houses the Montana Vista Fire Rescue Station, Longhorn Pipeline Facility, Montana Vista Mobile Home Estates, and is one of the main roadways leading to East Montana from the City. |
| Zone C:  Desert Meadows East to O’Leary (Red Sands Dunes) (14,696 block to the 15,489 block, 1.5 miles) This zone is also rated as maximum and is listed as the first most populated area mainly because there is over a mile of open desert area where spectators can park and set up their activities and display their fireworks away from residences and businesses. This area also houses the Red Sands Dunes which is a favorite spot for spectators for shooting their fireworks. Traffic is reported to be the heaviest in this area. | Zone D:  O’Leary East to Hueco Tanks State Park (MP44) (15,489 block to the 16,250 block, 4.4 miles) This is a minimum populated area. However, because this roadway stretches some 4.4 miles it can easily become a problem area especially if we are needed at Hueco Tanks for service. |
VI. Operation Day After
On Monday, July 5th, we will have PRIDE cleanup which will include the Jail Annex, Community Services, Probationers, and the residents from the Montana Vista area. TxDot will be providing trash bags, and the safety vests. The cleanup operation will be from 7:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
A reminder to the public that parking is not allowed along Montana Avenue (Highway 62/180) or on the shoulders or medians. These areas must be cleared for traffic & emergency vehicles. ALL TRAFFIC LAWS & TRAFFIC SIGNS MUST BE OBEYED.
Our Agency will patrol and arrest / ticket drivers who ignore traffic laws. We continue to enforce the zero tolerance on seat belt/child safety seat use and drinking and driving. We will also focus on aggressive driving, and those who fail to obey the speed limit.
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office reminds all drivers to change lanes or slow down when approaching emergency vehicles with emergency lights activated on the side of the roadway.
According to Texas Transportation Code-Sec. 545.157: PASSING AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY VEHICLE.
(a) On approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle using visual signals that 
meet the requirements of Sections 547.305 and 547.702, an operator, unless otherwise directed by a police officer, shall:
(1) vacate the lane closest to the emergency vehicle when driving on a highway with two or more lanes traveling in the direction of the emergency vehicle; or
(2) slow to a speed not to exceed:
(A) 20 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit when the posted speed limit is 25 miles per hour or more; or
(B) five miles per hour when the posted speed limit is less than 25 miles per hour.
(b) A violation of this section is:
(1) a misdemeanor punishable under Section 542.401;
(2) a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $500 if the violation results in property damage; or
(3) a Class B misdemeanor if the violation results in bodily injury.
(c) If conduct constituting an offense under this section also constitutes an offense under another section of this code or the Penal Code, the actor may be prosecuted under either section or under both sections.
