HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — In an effort to keep the roads safe ahead of Thanksgiving, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office says its deputies will be on high alert, especially on Wednesday.
According to a release, the day before Thanksgiving is notorious for being one of the biggest drinking nights of the year. To crack down on and prevent drunk driving, every year on the Wednesday before Turkey Day, multiple agencies across the country take part in "Blackout Wednesday."
But the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is coining its partnership with Tampa Police and Florida Highway Patrol as "Operation Get Stuffed." It officially gets underway on Nov. 22.
The multi-agency goal of "Blackout Wednesday" is to be on the lookout for drivers who might be impaired by drugs or alcohol.
"Thanksgiving is a time to enjoy the company of family and friends, but it is crucial to prioritize safety," Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. “Please, plan accordingly by designating a sober driver or utilizing a ride-share option if alcohol is involved. By taking responsibility for our actions, we can ensure that our Thanksgiving memories are filled with positive experiences.”
According to the sheriff's office, past operations around this time of the year have yielded hundreds of traffic stops and warnings, and dozens of arrests.
In 2022, during "Operation Turkey Trot" — which took place between Wednesday, Nov. 23 and Sunday, Nov. 27 — the sheriff's office said its agency alone recorded 268 traffic stops, 21 citations, 253 warnings, 40 DUI arrests and 2 SUI hospital cases.
In 2021, also coined "Operation Turkey Trot," a three-day operation aimed at "encouraging drivers to slow down ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday," resulted in 757 traffic stops, 204 citations, 597 warnings and 3 arrests.
