Hamilton County Austin Garrett and members of the uniformed services, including Marine patrol and traffic units, participated in a joint press conference on Wednesday at Lake Chickamauga focused on promoting Operation Dry Water.
The event was hosted by the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (TWRA) in conjunction with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), and the Chattanooga Police Department (CPD) to promote Operation Dry Water, an initiative geared to promote safe, responsible driving and boating operations during the upcoming July 4th holiday.
Each July 4th, thousands of individuals and families flock to our county’s lakes, river and streams to enjoy time together. It is important to choose to celebrate responsibly and never drive a vehicle or operate a vessel while impaired or distracted.
During the press conference, Sheriff Austin Garrett noted the importance of taking heed of this educational opportunity stating, “While today we are focused on education, know this, if we can’t reach you through education, rest assured we’re going to reach you through enforcement. This July 4th weekend, choose safety. choose to be responsible and help ensure everyone arrives alive to their destination.”
This weekend, as you and your family celebrate, remember the following:
- Make wise decisions
- Never operate a vehicle or vessel under the influence
- Put your phone down
- Keep your eyes on the roadway and waterway
- Obey the speed limit
Afterwards, members of the media toured Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office and Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency vessels and received a waterborne excursion and demonstration.