By Steve Klamkin WPRO News

Providence Police report a sharp increase in the number of arrests for driving under the influence in the capital city. 

Providence Public Safety Commissioner Steven Pare says arrests in Providence for driving under the influence nearly doubled, from 170 in 2011 to 330 in 2012.

"We knew people were being irresponsible in getting behind the wheel of a car after drinking," Pare said.  "So, it was out there, and we haven't as a police department focused on impaired driving and traffic offenses, and we have in the past year and a half now, and two years, we're going to continue to increase it."

"We've increased training for our police officers, we've reestablished and put resources into our traffic bureau as well. It's been a priority of this administration to do more, both traffic enforcement and crack down on drunk driving," said Pare.

He said that the goal is to send a strong message to discourage drunken driving.

"People think that they can be irresponsible and drink and drive, and we're going to get to the point where people are going to be fearful if they drink and they drive in Providence, and they're going to get locked up.  And, that's where we're hoping to get to."