Area law enforcement teamed together for a CARTE operation on Monday, the first day of class for local schools.

Police from Casper, Mills, Evansville, the Natrona County Sheriff's Office, and the Wyoming Highway Patrol made 187 traffic stops and issued 186 citations during the Combined Accident Reduction and Traffic Enforcement Operation.

Evansville Police Chief Zach Gentile said he was particularly concerned about the 17 seat belt citations.

"What's it going to take for folks to realize that we're not going to stop doing this?" Gentile said. "For two years, I've been harping on the fact that the Legislature needs to step in, that the fines are too low."

Police also made two DWUI arrests.

"My concern is they were out there driving in the middle of the day, and these kids have to walk back and forth from school," Gentile said. "What if we weren't working CARTE?"

Reach city reporter Pete Nickeas at pete.nickeas@trib.com or (307) 266-0639. Read more about Casper politics and government at http://tribtown.trib.com/redtape.

BY THE NUMBERS

118 Speeding citations

22 No insurance / no proof citations

19 Sign and control violations

1 Driving with suspended license arrest

2 DWUI arrests