As with many major holidays, the St. Charles Police Department ramped up efforts during the St. Patrick’s Day weekend to crack down on drunken drivers and seat belt violations.

The extra traffic enforcement – which also is usually conducted in St. Charles for Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s – was made possible through grant funding from the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Police spokesperson Paul McCurtain said the department has participated in the grant-funded patrols for the past several years.