DRINKING MAY BE MORE PREVALENT DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON, BUT A LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT-BASED NON-PROFIT CALLED S.T.O.R.M. EMPHASIZES IT’S NEVER OKAY TO BE IMPAIRED AND GET BEHIND THE WHEEL OF A VEHICLE. OUR VERY OWN DANNY TODD SPEAKS WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE ORGANIZATION.
A 20-year police veteran says that his jolting experience with a drunk driver made his passion for S.T.O.R.M stronger. He talked to us today about what it is and how you can get involved.
BRIAN KELLY : S.T.O.R.M PRESIDENT says "S.T.O.R.M stands for sobriety trained officers representing Mississippi. Back in 1996, a group of basically DUI cops from across the state got together."
S.T.O.R.M President Brian Kelly stressed the DUI cops joined together because they wanted to correlate their numbers. They wanted to localize the DUI numbers to see if they could see a pattern that would maybe help them combat the issue.
BRIAN KELLY says "We hold once a year an awards program for these officers and troopers and deputies that get out and remove the impaired drivers off the roadways of the state of Mississippi."
President Kelly tells Twin States News that it's important to them to reward these officers who are going above and beyond to ensure that drivers on Mississippi roadways are safe. S.T.O.R.M concentrates on the importance of training, mentorship, and shining a positive light on these officers.
BRIAN KELLY says "Basically, we raise whatever monies we have come in and we raise it ourselves. We're a nonprofit and we want to keep these conferences going because it not only helps these officers, but it helps some of the smaller departments that may not have the money to send their officers for training. Everything with S.T.O.R.M will be free. So that's why we have the sponsors trying to get more sponsors."
President Brian Kelly says it's important to note that this organization is for every member of law enforcement. You don't have to be a DUI cop or an alcohol-related title to become a member. Kelly points out that a person impaired behind the wheel of a car is one of the most dangerous weapons there is.
BRIAN KELLY tells us "I speak from experience in 2018 I was a cop down in Harrison County with the Harrison County Sheriff's Department. I was transporting a DUI suspect, and then I was hit by a DUI. I spent a month in the hospital and had to medically retire. It pretty much ended my 20-plus-year career."
Kelly is grateful for supporters of S.T.O.R.M… saying they directly impact the quality of training offered to every department in Mississippi. He added the organization depends on businesses to donate items to be used as awards at banquets for the officers.
if you would like to sponsor, donate money, or donate award prizes to S.T.O.R.M you can contact Brian Kelly by email at bkelly@msstorm.net
DANNY TODD, TWIN STATES NEWS, MERIDIAN.
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