RUMFORD — As part of the continuing nationwide crackdown to enforce laws on seat belts and operating under the influence, Rumford police will conduct four-hour saturation patrols from now through December, according to Cpl. Douglas Maifeld.

Using federal grant money distributed through the Maine Bureau of Public Safety, police will focus the details from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

"We will be out patrolling and looking for defects in vehicles, like a headlight or tail light out, and people driving erratically," Maifeld said Friday. "We will look for legitimate reasons to pull someone over."

The department's resumption of its Click It or Ticket campaign began Monday, and its OUI emphasis started Friday night.

Police will do four seat belt details from Nov. 1 through 15, eight from Nov. 16 through 29, and four during December.

"The major part is to educate the public," Maifeld said. "Buckle up, no excuses. Personally, I hope everyone's complying, because I'd rather not write tickets."

There will be eight OUI details during the two months. Unlike previous efforts, Maifeld said he didn't think the department would conduct roadblocks, wherein officers stop every car on the road wherever they happen to set up and check for violations or impaired driving.

tkarkos@sunjournal.com