VIDALIA — Law enforcement agencies across the Miss-Lou are planning to beef up patrols to ensure safety over the long holiday weekend.

Adams County Sheriff Ronny Brown said he plans to have extra officers out on the road this weekend, patrolling and setting up a few roadblocks for driver’s checks.

“Hopefully, everything will go smoothly like it did this Christmas,” Brown said.

Likewise, in Ferriday, Police Chief Richard Madison said he plans to have the entire police force out on New Year’s Eve, and will have additional officers patrolling the area over the weekend.

“It will be business as usual as far as traffic enforcement is concerned, but I am trying to coordinate a DWI checkpoint with the state police,” he said.

For the Natchez Police, having roadblocks over the weekend isn’t just a matter of safety, it’s a requirement, Chief Mike Mullins said.

“We have a traffic safety grant that requires us to do two roadblocks a month and as many as four a month when we have a holiday,” he said.

The Natchez police will have an extra officer on patrol, Mullins said, and all officers will be watching especially for speeding, traffic light, seat belt, child restraint and DUI violations.

The Vidalia Police department will also likely have an extra couple of officers on the streets over the weekend, Chief Billy Hammers said.

“The main thing I want people to know is they don’t need to drink and drive,” Hammers said. “If they are here in Vidalia and they feel that they don’t need to drive, they can call the station and we will try to get them home.”

Madison also had some advice for partygoers who might imbibe over the weekend.

“If you have to drink, don’t drive,” he said. “If you are going to need assistance, have it planned out beforehand.”

The advice Mullins had for drivers was simple.

“Please obey all traffic laws,” he said. “They’re there to prevent injury and property damage.”