Newton Falls police want to be part of an OVI task force, but their city council has said no.

"I am disappointed in this and shocked and surprised that this wouldn't be supported," said Newton Falls police Chief John Kuivila. "I also wish that if council had these feelings they would have asked me so I could give them the truth behind the task force."

The purpose of the task force is to keep drunk drivers off the road, and several departments met last week to discuss conducting 12 checkpoints around the county next year using a federal grant. But some on Newton Falls City Council think being part of the task force could create more problems than it would solve.

Council voted on the issue last week and were deadlocked at two to two. Mayor Pat Layshock cast the third vote against the legislation.

During the meeting, members gave their reasons for voting it down.

"To me it is a means of raising money through the courts," said Councilman Ralph Gillespie. "The word protection and safety are used, but all it is is a money-making scheme sponsored by the state of Ohio."

The Ohio State Highway Patrol said the checkpoints are preventative tools, and they hope they reduce the number of alcohol-related crashes.

But Councilman Jim Luonuansuu said he feels the records show that only a small amount of OVI arrests have been made in the city. From November 2008 through November of this year, there were 21 people arrested for OVIs, and there were two OVI-related crashes.

"We have brand new police cruisers, we send them out to Warren and someone hits the cruiser we have to pay to repair the cruiser," Luonuansuu said. "If we send our officers and a crack head in Warren shoots them, then we have liability."