Repeat Drunken Driving Arrests Up In Delaware County

Authorities said that OVI arrests are up in Delaware County and many of the people being stopped are repeat offenders.

Steven Cole is facing felony OVI charges after deputies made a traffic stop in November. Deputies said his blood alcohol level was four times the legal limit when they charged him with OVI - for the sixth time.

To be charged with felony OVI, it must be the fourth offense in six years, fifth offense in 20 years, or sixth lifetime offense.

Police officers in Delaware City have doubled their felony OVI arrests for the year.

“Felony arrests are up as well,” Lt. Kevin Knapp said. “I think that comes with the overall increase in OVI arrests, you are going to run into more felony offenders.”

Knapp said that this year, troopers charged 188 people with felony OVI.

Law enforcement attributed the increase in arrests to an increase in patrols.

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