Police credit traffic backup in marijuana arrest

NEW ALBANY, IN (WAVE) – New Albany police say the closure of the Sherman Minton Bridge and the resulting traffic problems are being credited with helping them make arrests.

According to Chief Todd Bailey, two men were arrested Monday while sitting in traffic when an officer on duty directing that traffic smelled the odor of marijuana. Bailey said the officers on duty found a small amount of marijuana inside the car and the two guys were taken into custody.

The bridge closure comes with the increased presence of law enforcement, especially when you are dealing with the amount of traffic we've seen the first two business days. Despite the traffic impact, Bailey said illegal behavior will not be tolerated.

"If somebody is intoxicated, smoking marijuana, road rage incidents, we are going to take firm action immediately to stop that activity," said Bailey.

Bailey said the flow of traffic Tuesday morning was better, but the afternoon was a different story. The biggest congestion spot was at Browns Station Way and East Spring Street.

Bailey encourages drivers to use I-265. He said while it may not be fast, it does move and can handle a lot more traffic than the side streets.

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