Cedar Park police stepped up patrol presence from May 22-June 4 to encourage drivers to not get behind the wheel under the influence, and on Tuesday the police department announced it made two driving while intoxicated arrests during that timeframe.

Police patrol units worked 21.5 hours of voluntary overtime from May 22-June 4 as a part of the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program, Cedar Park police spokesperson Tara Long said.

During the overtime hours that used STEP funding from TxDOT, the Cedar Park Police Department made two driving while intoxicated arrests, she said.

The increase in officers along local roadways was an effort to discourage and monitor for impaired driving violations as part of the ongoing regional STEP initiative. The national program model combines intensive enforcement of a specific traffic safety law with communication, education and outreach informing the public about the enforcement activity, according to a police department press release.

“I believe the mere visual presence of additional police vehicles on our roadway deters people from impaired driving,” Chief of Police Sean Mannix said, “but when an individual does choose to drive after drinking, using illegal drugs or because of prescription medication that affects their ability to safely operate a vehicle, we will be there to catch them.”

Another STEP initiative will take place in Cedar Park between June 24-July 5. For more information, call the police station at 512-260-4600 or visit www.cedarparktexas.gov/departments/police-department.