Federal funds will increase NHP presence

Wednesday, June 26, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

The Nevada Highway Patrol will be boosting its enforcement on the freeways this summer thanks to extra cash from the federal government.

Approximately $8,000 in recently awarded federal money will allow the NHP to pay overtime to 35 troopers to cover additional shifts through the end of August.

The state's Office of Traffic Safety in Carson City obtained the money by appealing to a federal project titled "WAVE," which seeks to support law enforcement agencies across the country, according to NHP's Trooper Steve Harney.

"The extra money will help us increase our manpower, and it's a good way to help us in keeping drunken drivers off the road and hopefully saving lives," Harney said. "It means we will have 35 additional officers patrolling the roadways that we wouldn't otherwise have."

Harney said the money will only cover the costs of employing Southern Nevada troopers for overtime. No new officers will be hired.

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